U.S. Pledges Further $100 Million Worth of Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles – The White House confirmed another aid package to Ukraine on Tuesday, this time worth $100 million, and focused on replenishing the Ukrainian army’s stockpile of Javelin anti-armor and anti-tank missiles.
The new package brings the total amount of aid provided by the United States since the invasion began on February 25 to $1.7 billion. It is also the sixth package of arms and supplies given to the country since August of last year.
“Today, the Biden Administration authorized an additional Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to an additional $100 million to meet an urgent Ukrainian need for additional Javelin anti-armor systems, which the United States has been providing to Ukraine and they have been using so effectively to defend their country,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby revealed in a statement.
What Are Javelin Missiles?
Developed in 1989, the Javelin missile went into full-scale production in 1994 and was first deployed in 1996 in Fort Benning, Georgia. Javelin is more than just a missile, but is an entire missile launch system designed to be transported. Built by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the Javelin is a shoulder-fired missile weapon that can also be installed on tanks and amphibious vehicles.
The weapon consists of a command launch unit, built by Raytheon, as well as a missile guidance electronic unit and software that allows for precision targeting. Lockheed Martin assembled the weapon.
Over 50,000 Javelin missiles are currently in use by the United States Armed Forces and 19 allied countries. The weapon is considered so effective that it will remain in use until 2050.
Allies Work with U.S. to Provide “Security Assistance”
In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that more than 30 countries have joined the United States in providing security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion – with “security assistance” defined as providing military equipment and ammunition, rather than putting boots on the ground.
“Together, we are delivering security assistance every day, and we are expediting shipments of even more of the arms and defense equipment Ukraine is using to defend itself,” Blinken said.
The surprise announcement comes after Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskky called on U.S. President Joe Biden to provide jets and missiles to prove America’s commitment to Ukraine.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
