True, as far as is known, the said package does not include a new “Patriot” air defense system or additional missiles for the systems already in Ukraine. It is not clear whether the delivery of a new system could be included in the future shipments, because the number of these systems is limited and they are very expensive, in addition, the United States would have to risk the protection of its resources by giving one of its systems to the needs of Ukraine, according to the “New York Times”.
Although NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated on Tuesday that NATO allies are working to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the United States has so far refused to donate any of its warplanes, although the U.S. Air Force has participated in the training of several Ukrainian pilots. Officials have said that about 12 pilots will be ready to fly the F-16 on combat missions from July, but only six aircraft will be delivered to Ukraine by then.
Will it be enough?
Although the $61 billion aid package is designed to support Ukraine, Pentagon officials have confirmed that nearly $48 billion of that funding will actually go to U.S. arms manufacturers to replenish U.S. stockpiles that have been nearly depleted over the past two years or to produce new weapons. for the needs of Ukraine.
The $1 billion “injection” from the Pentagon will be delivered from the remaining stocks and, as it has been said, the delivery could take place as early as the end of this week. This could provide an immediate boost to Ukraine’s front line, where Ukrainian soldiers urgently need to stop the activity of Russian drones and aircraft, preventing the loss of new territories. True, it could take about a week for the weapons to reach the front line.
