US approves additional $330 million military aid package for Ukraine

The US has just approved a $330 million military aid package for Ukraine, including repairs to M109 self-propelled guns and maintenance of air defense systems.

On July 24, the US Department of Defense officially confirmed that the State Department had approved a potential $330 million military equipment deal with Ukraine. This contract package includes maintenance, repair and overhaul services for M109 self-propelled artillery systems and a package of support for air defense system maintenance.

This information marks a new step in the US's efforts to support Ukraine in maintaining its combat capability amid a conflict that shows no signs of cooling down.

M109 self-propelled gun in service with the Ukrainian Army. Photo: Anna Voitenko

Specifically, the above deal is divided into two main parts: the first part worth 150 million USD is for maintenance, repair and overhaul of M109 self-propelled guns - the type of artillery considered the backbone of Ukraine's counterattack and frontline defense operations. The remaining part, worth about 180 million USD, focuses on maintenance and technical support for Ukraine's air defense system, especially the Patriot and HAWK complexes that were previously aided.

The Pentagon said the contract was carried out under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism, meaning the US provides services and equipment in the form of commercialization instead of direct aid. This is a new direction of Washington to reduce pressure on the domestic defense budget, while encouraging financial participation from European allies.

The news of the aid package comes amid signs of a lack of consensus between Kiev and Washington. In an interview with Newsmax on July 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction with the level of military aid from the US under former President Donald Trump, saying that previous aid packages had not been maintained.

A day earlier, Mr. Trump announced a plan to rearm Ukraine if elected President in the upcoming election. This plan is expected to rely on coordination with NATO allies, but has not yet detailed the support items.

On the same day, July 24, the US Department of Defense announced that the State Department had approved the sale of advanced surface-to-air missile systems, logistics items, and technical training programs to Egypt, with a total value of about 4.67 billion USD. This is considered one of the largest defense contracts between the US and a Middle Eastern country in 2025.

The simultaneous approval of two major military aid packages for Ukraine and Egypt shows that Washington continues to strengthen strategic relationships with important partners in Europe and the Middle East. For Ukraine, the assistance is not only technical but also a long-term commitment to defense cooperation, especially in the context of Kiev's transition from receiving aid to accessing military trade contracts.

Meanwhile, the contract with Egypt underscores the country’s role in the regional security architecture, amid rising tensions in Gaza, Yemen and the Red Sea. According to analysts, the two deals announced on the same day are a clear message that the US continues to play a central role in the global security system.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/my-phe-duyet-goi-ho-tro-quan-su-bo-sung-330-trieu-usd-cho-ukraine-post1557258.html