Pentagon to Rush $300 Million in Weapons to Ukraine Amid Overdrawn Replenishment Funds

The Pentagon has announced an expedited delivery of approximately $300 million in weaponry to Ukraine, following the discovery of cost savings in its contracts. Despite being faced with a substantial deficit, estimated at a minimum of $10 billion to replace the weapons withdrawn from its stocks to support Kyiv in its ongoing struggle against Russia, senior U.S. officials disclosed on Tuesday.

Lack of Replenishment Funds

This marks the first security aid package for Ukraine announced by the Pentagon since December, when it confirmed the depletion of replenishment funds. However, it was only recently that officials publicly acknowledged not only the absence of replenishment funds but also the staggering $10 billion deficit. Utilizing the replenishment funds, the Pentagon has been able to draw from its reserve inventories to supply Ukraine with existing munitions, air defense systems, and other weaponry, under the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), and subsequently initiate contracts to restock these arms.

New Security Package

National security adviser Jake Sullivan revealed the new weaponry package during a White House press briefing. The package comprises artillery rounds aimed at assisting Ukraine in repelling Russian advances. A senior defense official, briefing reporters, characterized the package as a "one-time shot," unless a stalled supplemental spending bill including approximately $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine is passed, or further cost savings are identified. The anticipated aid is set to encompass anti-aircraft missiles, artillery rounds, and armor systems.

Urgent Appeal

With Ukraine's situation growing increasingly dire and facing a significantly better-equipped Russian force, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has persistently appealed to Congress for assistance. However, the House Republican leadership has been adamant in its refusal to present the Ukraine aid for a vote, insisting that any aid must first address border security needs.

Pressure from Polish Leaders

Amid the ongoing conflict, Polish leaders are currently in Washington to urge the U.S. to resolve the impasse over replenishing funds for Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda recently held discussions with leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties in the House and Senate, with a scheduled meeting with President Biden later in the day. The House Speaker's reluctance to bring a $95 billion package, which encompasses aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, to the floor has led to House Democrats initiating an unlikely attempt to force a vote through a discharge petition, necessitating the support of a majority of lawmakers.

Financial Pressures

During the Pentagon's budget briefing, officials emphasized their reliance on the supplemental to cover the $10 billion replenishment deficit. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks underscored the critical need for the passage of the supplemental, stressing that failure to secure the $10 billion would necessitate alternative measures.

Previous Budget Adjustments

Highlighting the Pentagon's ability to realize approximately $300 million in cost savings from previous Ukraine contracts, senior defense officials justified the decision to utilize these savings to expedite the shipment of additional weapons, albeit leaving the replenishment spending $10 billion in the red. Notably, this is the second instance in under nine months where the Pentagon has utilized newly "discovered" funds to facilitate further arms deliveries to Ukraine. Last June, a review revealed a $6.2 billion overestimation of the value of weapons supplied to Ukraine over the preceding two years, attributed to the use of replacement costs rather than the book value of the equipment withdrawn from Pentagon stocks.

Assistance to Ukraine

The United States has committed a total of over $44.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, with more than $44.2 billion allocated since the commencement of Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022. The Pentagon's $10 billion overdrawn replenishment account is partly attributed to inflationary pressures and the higher costs of the new systems sought to replace the older ones, such as the upcoming Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), intended to replace the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Troops

The prolonged absence of further U.S. support has significantly impacted operations, forcing Ukrainian troops to ration munitions on the front lines, as they confront a better-equipped Russian force. Recent reports indicate that Ukrainian units have found themselves critically low on artillery shells and other crucial ammunition. CIA Director William Burns highlighted the retreat from the city of Avdiivka as a consequence of ammunition shortages, emphasizing that it was not a failure of Ukrainian will, but rather a result of insufficient ammunition resupply.