Pentagon Ready to Move Weapons to Ukraine Within Days if Aid Bill Passes Congress

Pentagon Ready to Rush Weapons to Ukraine if Congress Passes Aid Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is poised to quickly deliver much-needed weapons to Ukraine if Congress approves a long-delayed aid bill. With storage sites in the U.S. and Europe already stocked with ammunition and air defense components, the Pentagon could move supplies within days to support Kyiv’s fight against Russia.

CIA Director Bill Burns emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that without additional aid, Ukraine could lose the war by the end of the year. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder expressed the military’s readiness to provide the necessary security assistance to Ukraine.

Despite having supplies ready for months, the Pentagon has been unable to deliver them due to a lack of funding. The previous funding allocated by Congress has been exhausted, with over $44 billion worth of weapons, maintenance, training, and spare parts already sent to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The proposed aid bill includes over $20 billion to replenish the Pentagon’s supplies and ensure that the military has the resources needed to support Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for a weekend vote on the bill, despite facing opposition within his party.

If the bill is passed, President Joe Biden has pledged to sign it immediately, triggering the Pentagon to begin moving stockpiled weapons to Ukraine. The military can utilize presidential drawdown authority to quickly access weapons from storage facilities in the U.S. and Europe.

The Pentagon’s ability to rapidly deploy weapons to Ukraine is crucial as Ukrainian troops have been rationing their dwindling munitions. The military has also been sending increasingly advanced and costly systems to Ukraine, further depleting its resources.

With storage facilities in the U.S. and Europe, the U.S. military is well-equipped to provide immediate support to Ukraine. The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma, for example, has the capacity to surge millions of rounds of munitions if needed.

Additionally, European allies have established maintenance hubs to support Ukraine’s military equipment, facilitating quick repairs and training. The U.S. military official noted that certain munitions could be sent almost immediately to Ukraine from these European storehouses.

As the situation in Ukraine remains dire, the Pentagon stands ready to act swiftly once Congress approves the necessary funding. The fate of Ukraine’s fight against Russia hangs in the balance, with timely support from the U.S. military potentially making a significant impact on the outcome of the conflict.