The United States will finance the modernization of T-72 tanks and HAWK surface-to-air missiles as part of military aid to Ukraine of some $400 million, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
Anti-aircraft defense capabilities such as armor are quite high on Ukraine's list of requests for assistance.
The T-72, a tank designed in the Soviet era, is no longer at the level of modern armor - like the German Leopard or the American M1 Abrams - that kyiv sought to obtain.
The "
tanks come from the Czech defense industry, and the United States is paying for the modernization of 45 of them, while the Netherlands has made the same commitment
", for a total of 90 T-72s, Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters.
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The T-72 will benefit from advanced "
optics, communications, and armor
" equipment, she said, adding that some would be ready by the end of December, while others should be delivered in 2023. Asked why more modern tanks were not provided, Singh put forward cost and usability factors.
"
These are tanks that Ukrainians know how to use on the battlefield
," she said.
US military assistance also includes funding for HAWK missile upgrades from US military stockpiles.
Major asset for Ukraine
These missiles represent a major asset for Ukraine in its fight against Russian drones and missile strikes that target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Sabrina Singh declined to specify how many of these missiles would be upgraded, citing security concerns.
In addition to armored vehicles and HAWK missiles, this new American aid includes, among other things, 1,100 Phoenix Ghost drones, 40 armored patrol boats, and funding for the renovation of 250 M1117 armored vehicles.
The announcement comes under the U.S. military assistance program for Ukraine, which funds the purchase of equipment made by the defense industry, rather than drawing equipment from existing U.S. military stockpiles.
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This new tranche brings total US aid to Ukraine to some $18.2 billion since the start of the Russian offensive on February 24, and $18.9 billion since the arrival of Joe Biden at the White House in January 2021. In addition to this security assistance, the United States is exploring ways to help Ukraine repair its much-needed electricity and water infrastructure pounded in recent weeks by Russia .
“
We are trying to see what we can do in the short term to help Ukraine repair the damage caused, especially in the electricity infrastructure, the network itself
,” Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. White House national security.