Live Updates: Russia’s War in Ukraine

The United States should include longer-range missiles in a new Ukrainian security program worth about $2.2 billion, according to a senior administration official and several U.S. officials.

The package will include a commitment to supply Ukraine with the ground-launched Small Diameter Bomb, a guided missile with a range of 90 miles (145 kilometers), two officials said.

Although the missiles will effectively double the range of Ukrainian weaponry, the package will not include the much sought after ATACMS missile with a range of over 200 miles. The United States has consistently rejected Ukraine’s demands for the system, fearing it could be used to hit targets deep within Russia.

It is the first security package since the United States pledged to supply Ukraine with advanced M-1 Abrams tanks in January – a decision made in concert with European countries supplying manufactured Leopard 2 tanks. German.

The package, which could be announced as early as Friday, will be split between $500 million in arms and equipment drawn directly from U.S. stockpiles and about $1.7 billion in supplies purchased from military contractors, known as name of Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

Details of the package were first reported by Reuters.

On Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton said there would be another announcement of security assistance to Ukraine “soon” without providing further details.

A bit of context: The ground-launched small-diameter bomb, which is fired from a HIMARS rocket launcher, has an effective range of about 90 miles, according to Saab, the company that developed the weapon in conjunction with Boeing.

This is more than double the range of GMLRS munitions that Ukraine currently launches from HIMARS rocket launchers. The long-range missile then deploys small wings and uses a rocket engine to fly towards its target.

But the new weapon will not arrive in Ukraine immediately, because it will not come directly from American stocks. Instead, the United States will contract with arms manufacturers to supply the long-range missile to Ukraine, a process that could take weeks or months.

The package also includes ammunition for artillery and HIMARS, as well as support systems and equipment for the Patriot missile system, an official said. Ukrainian forces have not completed training on the Patriot system at Fort Sill, Oklahoma – but the United States is ensuring that logistics and maintenance are in place long before the first Patriot battery is operational in Ukraine, the manager said.

Over the past month, the United States has announced three of the largest aid programs for Ukraine as a sign of continued support as the war nears its first year.