The US on Friday introduced a serious navy help package deal for Ukraine that’s valued at greater than $3 billion and contains 50 Bradleys and dozens of different armored autos.

The help — $2.85 billion drawn from US inventories and $225 million in overseas navy financing — doesn’t embrace superior Western tanks sought by Kyiv, however will nonetheless present vital further firepower for its forces.

It’s “the biggest safety help package deal in complete worth that we have now dedicated up to now,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of Protection Laura Cooper informed journalists.

The marquee gadgets within the package deal are the Bradleys, which include 500 TOW anti-tank missiles and 250,000 rounds of ammunition for his or her 25mm autocannons.

“The Bradley autos will additional improve Ukraine’s means to conduct complicated maneuvers in virtually all climate circumstances and terrain, particularly within the south and the east of the nation,” Cooper mentioned.

Additionally included within the package deal are 100 M113 and 55 MRAP armored autos, 18 155mm self-propelled howitzers, in addition to artillery ammunition, mortar rounds, air protection missiles, and numerous small arms.

The self-propelled howitzers “will present higher safety and maneuverability” than beforehand supplied artillery items that have to be towed by autos, Cooper mentioned.

The gear will complement expanded US coaching for Ukrainian forces beginning this month that may give attention to larger-scale maneuvers, she mentioned.

“We’re positioning Ukraine to have the ability to transfer ahead and retake territory,” Cooper added.

– Zelensky welcomes US assist –

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the brand new package deal as “well timed and powerful.” It brings complete US navy help since Russia invaded in February 2022 to greater than $24.2 billion.

“For the primary time, we’ll get Bradley armored autos — that is precisely what is required. New weapons and projectiles, together with high-precision ones,” he mentioned in his night handle.

Washington and Berlin introduced the day past that they would offer armored autos — Bradleys from the US and Marders from Germany — however didn’t present particulars.

Berlin mentioned Friday that it could ship about 40 of the Marder autos to Ukraine inside weeks, and that coaching on them could be supplied in Germany.

Ukraine has lengthy pushed for heavier weaponry, together with tanks, that may assist its operations. Western nations have been reluctant to ship them, citing fears of turning into additional drawn into the battle or frightening Russia.

However the Ukrainians have constructed momentum and Western nations have been increasing the weapons they ship them.

The US-German announcement on the armored autos got here after France promised to ship its AMX-10 RC gentle tanks, that are wheeled slightly than tracked however have a a lot heavier cannon typical of a tank.

The French transfer put Germany underneath recent political strain to do extra to assist Ukraine.

Germany additionally mentioned Thursday that it could comply with the US in sending a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, that means Kyiv’s forces are slated to obtain two of the superior air protection programs.