The United States plans to announce a new $300 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes, for the first time, short-range air-launched missiles, two US officials said.
The Hydra 70 is an unguided air-to-air missile manufactured by General Dynamics.
The missile is usually launched from pockets installed in aircraft, and these missiles could help Ukraine take down Russian ground positions and provide advancing Ukrainian ground forces with air support as Kiev plans to launch an offensive in the spring.
The two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the package includes 155mm howitzers.
In addition, the two officials said, ammunition would be sent for HIMARS systems, howitzers, TOW anti-tank missiles and mortars.
They added that the package would include debris removal equipment and trucks, and indicated that it was still under discussion and could be changed.
This package is the thirty-seventh security aid package approved by the United States for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, at a total cost of nearly $36 billion.
