U.S. To Send 4 More HIMARS to Ukraine in New Security Assistance Package

The U.S. has confirmed plans to send four more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Ukraine, taking the total of such systems delivered to the war-torn country to 16.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said during a briefing after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group’s fourth meeting today that an official announcement to hand over four M142 HIMARS systems to Ukraine will come later this week when another security assistance package is announced. That package will be the 16th sent to Ukraine, so far, and will also include additional Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, which are used in HIMARS.

"Ukrainian forces are now using long-range rocket systems to great effect, including HIMARS provided by the United States and other systems from our allies and partners," Austin said. "Ukraine's defenders are pushing hard to hold Russian advances in the Donbas, and the international community has also worked hard to provide Ukraine with better coastal defense capabilities. And that directly contributed to Ukraine's victory on Snake Island, and it has helped prevent a Russian landing in Odesa."

Also read: Amidst Reports that HIMARS Are Finding Targets, Russia Orders Attacks on Ukraine’s Long-Range Weapons

U.S. security assistance to Ukraine so far has included, among other things, over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, more than 6,500 Javelin anti-armor systems, and more than 700 Switchblade drones. The U.S. has also provided 126 155-mm howitzers with up to 411,000 155-mm artillery rounds and a dozen HIMARS along with associated ammunition.

"As you know, we've provided the Ukrainians with 12 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems to further strengthen their long-range fires capability," Austin said. "I think that everyone here understands the difference that they've made on the ground."

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group met for the first time in Germany in April and serves now as a way for participating nations to coordinate their assistance Ukraine and focus on Ukraine's future defense needs. At the time, Austin said he expected the group to continue to meet on a monthly basis.

Some nations, Austin said, are providing training to the Ukrainian armed forces; others are refurbishing Ukrainian equipment, while some are providing spare parts.

"Countries — including the Czech Republic, Poland and the U.K. — are working with their domestic industrial bases to find ways to help Ukraine even more quickly," Austin said. "Other countries, such as our Baltic and Australian allies, continue to generously deliver items from their own stockpiles."