The United States has approved a potential emergency $138 million in foreign military sales to Ukraine to aid the nation in repairing its Hawk missile systems and defend against Russian drone and cruise missile attacks, according to the U.S. State Department.
In an April 9 statement announcing the sale, the State Department said it would allow Ukraine to buy various “sustainment-related articles and services” for the Hawk Phase III missile system, including engineering and integration for the system’s communications and interoperability, and various refurbishments for the Hawk air defense fire units.
The sales will also include missile recertification components, tool kits and test equipment, spare parts, technical documentation, training, U.S. government and contractor technical and field office support, and more, officials said.
The Hawk is a medium-range, surface-to-air guided missile created by the U.S. weapons manufacturer RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon. Washington began shipping Hawk missiles to Kyiv in 2022 as part of an upgrade to the shoulder-launched Stinger antiaircraft air defense missile systems, which are smaller, shorter-range systems.
Ukraine Has ‘Urgent Need’ to Increase Capabilities
The State Department noted that contractors from Massachusetts-based RTX Corporation, and PROJECTXYZ based in Huntsville, Alabama, will undertake the work on the Hawk systems.Officials also said the funding for the Hawk system in Ukraine is in the best interest of the United States and will support its foreign policy goals and national security objectives by “improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
On that basis, the State Department said it has waived the congressional review requirements under the Arms Export Control Act.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notice of the possible sale to Congress on April 9, officials said.
Zelenskyy Warns Ukraine Will ‘Lose the War’
The $138 million is a higher estimation of the cost of the sale, but the actual value may be lower “depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s),” according to the State Department.“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the department said.
The latest announcement follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeal to U.S. lawmakers for additional funding for the war-torn nation, amid an intensified long-range bombing campaign by Russia in recent weeks.
His comments came after a Russian drone attack on April 6 reportedly left at least eight dead and 10 injured in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Ukraine’s military said on Facebook that its air defenses destroyed 28 of 32 drones and three of six missiles launched by Russia.
“If Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked,” he said, noting the possibility of other European nations being dragged into the conflict.
“This is a fact.”
U.S. lawmakers returned to Congress on April 9 following a two-week recess and will likely take up the discussion of further aid to Ukraine in the coming weeks, The Hill reported, although both sides of the aisle remain divided on the topic.
