The US State Department has approved the sale of three High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers to Ukraine for an estimated $30 million. Germany initiated the sale on behalf of Ukraine as the $61-billion Ukraine military aid bill was still being discussed in US Congress. The bill was eventually passed in late April following months of uncertainty. The Lockheed Martin systems will be drawn from the US Army inventory and sent immediately without congressional review.
“The decision of Congress has overtaken us, but we’re sticking with it,” Defense News quoted German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius as saying. The sale does not require any US government or contractor representatives to visit Ukraine. Meanwhile, the US announced a $400-million aid package for Ukraine Friday, including HIMARS, Patriot munitions, NASAMS, Stinger missiles, and armored vehicles. The Presidential Drawdown Authority package will also be taken from the US military inventory.
