The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced the composition of military assistance worth $800 million to Ukraine that President Joe Biden had mentioned earlier.
It is noted that this assistance is tailored to "meet the critical needs of Ukraine for today's fight as Russian forces launch a renewed offensive."
The new aid is the eighth drawdown of equipment from the Pentagon's inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. It includes:
- 72 155mm Howitzers and 144,000 artillery rounds;
- 72 Tactical Vehicles to tow 155mm Howitzers;
- Over 121 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems; and
- Field equipment and spare parts.
"The Phoenix Ghost UAV was rapidly developed by the Air Force, in response, specifically to Ukrainian requirements," a senior defense official told reporters. "This is a great example of adapting to their needs in real time."
However, in a later briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that the Phoenix Ghost had been developed before Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. "It was developed for a set of requirements that very closely match what the Ukrainians need right now in Donbas," he said.
According to Kirby, the Phoenix Ghost is similar to the Switchblade unmanned systems previously delivered to Ukraine. No details about it are reported. This is likely a low-cost, single-use suicide drone that behaves like a loitering munition — flying around an airspace before ramming itself into a target.
It is noted that the new system will require minimal training for Ukrainian operators who are already familiar with Switchblade or other unmanned aircraft.
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