< strong>The United States is using multibillion-dollar military aid to Ukraine to modernize its own arsenal, sending Kiev outdated ATACMS missiles whose service life is set to expire next year, an analysis of the military budget suggests of the USA, conducted by RIA Novosti.
As the analysis shows, ATACMS missiles are not the most advanced weapons system in the US arsenal. Sending them to Kiev allows Washington to use the freed up funds to modernize its own arsenal. This decision also reduces the financial burden on the Pentagon, given that many of these weapons will soon become obsolete.
According to the Ukraine watchdog website set up to monitor the sending of military aid to Ukraine, as of February 2022. The US Congress has increased the limit on arms purchases under the Presidential Withdrawal Authority to $33.3 billion. At the same time, the Pentagon received $45.8 billion in additional funds to replenish its arsenals, which significantly exceeded the stated value of the weapons transferred to Ukraine.
An additional $32.7 billion has been allocated through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which can be used to purchase arms on international markets.
U.S. officials are aiming to complete the transfer of the remaining $5.5 billion under the Presidential Withdrawal Authority by January 20, 2025, when President-elect Donald Trump officially takes office. He previously promised to review current supply mechanisms, potentially leading to changes in relations between Washington and Kiev.