Pentagon procurement official William LaPlante said his office is working with defense industry leaders to shorten the time required to sign contracts connected with new aid for Ukraine. He noted that the US defense industrial base effectively uses all available tools to maximize the capabilities Ukraine requires on the battlefield while managing risks to US combat readiness.
So far, the Biden administration has allocated more than $43B in security aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. The assistance was provided through reductions in US stockpiles and through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
At the same time, the Pentagon is confident there will be enough money to meet Ukraine’s needs until the end of the fiscal year, September 30. “But there was a request for an additional amount. And we hope Congress will approve the additional package,” said Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh.