Summary and Key Points: President Joe Biden has pledged an additional $7.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including $5.5 billion in military aid from U.S. stockpiles. The package will bolster Ukraine’s air defenses with an additional Patriot anti-missile battery, missiles, and long-range Joint Standoff Weapons.

-The U.S. will also provide expanded training for Ukrainian pilots operating the F-16, with plans to train 18 more pilots next year.

-This support follows Ukraine’s successful use of U.S.-supplied air defense systems to counter Russian missile threats.

-The announcement underscores the U.S. commitment to strengthening Ukraine's defenses against ongoing Russian aggression.

White House Pledges Additional Support to Ukraine, Including Additional Patriot Anti-Missile Battery

Before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that the United States would provide an additional $7.9 billion in security assistance. In a statement, Mr. Biden pledged to authorize $5.5 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority, which utilizes funding appropriated by Congress.

That allows for a "drawdown of U.S. equipment" to be provided as military aid to Ukraine, followed by the replenishment of "U.S. stockpiles."

In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will provide $2.4 billion in security assistance via the "Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative." That will provide Kyiv with "additional air defense, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and air-to-ground munitions, as well as strengthen Ukraine’s defense industrial base and support its maintenance and sustainment requirements," the White House further announced.

"To enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, I have decided to provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition," President Biden said in a statement, adding, "To further strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, I have directed the Department of Defense to refurbish and provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery and to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles. This builds on my decision earlier this year to divert U.S. air defense exports to Ukraine, which will provide Ukraine with hundreds of additional Patriot and AMRAAM missiles over the next year and will help Ukraine defend its cities and its people."

The Patriot in the Spotlight

The MIM-104 Patriot air-defense system has been seen as one of the most vital military platforms provided to Ukraine, as it has been crucial in stopping aerial threats from striking the nation's critical infrastructure. The U.S.-made system is capable of targeting aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles from afar. As one of the most sophisticated weapons provided to date, it can integrate high-performance radar and sophisticated computer systems for precise guidance and control, allowing for the simultaneous engagement of multiple threats.

It has been used to successfully counter Russian ballistic missiles, including the air-launched Kinzhal. It has also been used to shoot down Russian aircraft and possibly hundreds of drones and other missiles.

Not surprisingly for those reasons, the MIM-104 Patriot has been a "high-value" target, and it was a considerable blow when one was destroyed in March. It was reportedly hit by a hypersonic missile while part of a Ukrainian military convoy. To successfully the aerialr threats, the air defense system must be deployed, which wasn't the case when it was being moved to a new location.

The loss of even one Patriot battery further stretched Ukraine's air defenses, so it is welcome news that Kyiv will soon receive a replacement.

Additional F-16 Training

The White House also announced it would aid Ukraine's efforts to operate the American- made F-16 Fighting Falcon. Around 90 of the all-weather multirole combat aircraft have been pledged by NATO members including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway – and around a dozen are reported to be operating with the Ukrainian Air Force.

However, training has been an issue, a point that was addressed on Thursday.

"To build the capacity of Ukraine's air force, I have directed the Department of Defense to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including by supporting the training of an additional 18 pilots next year," Biden added.

Ukraine deployed U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcons in combat for the first time in August to counter Russian missile and drone attacks. However, it was also last month that one of the Western-supplied aircraft was lost in a crash, killing the pilot. It has been reported that pilot error may have been to blame, heightening the need for additional training.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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