New $1.2bn US aid package to Ukraine includes air defence and artillery support

The US has announced an additional $1.2bn (£950m) security assistance package for Ukraine which includes support for air defences and artillery.

The aid provides additional air defence systems and munitions, equipment to help link Western air defence launchers, missiles and radars with Ukraine's air defence systems and ammunition for counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems, the US Department of Defense (DOD) said.

It also includes 155mm artillery rounds, commercial satellite imagery services and support for training and maintenance, the DOD added.

• The full list of US military equipment sent to Ukraine as new package announced
• The sniper rifle wanted by both sides of the Ukraine war
• 'This is not a film': Foreign Secretary warns no 'guarantees' of Ukrainian success in counteroffensive

The package is provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

USAI is an authority through which the US procures capabilities from industry or partners.

Much of the US equipment sent to Ukraine so far has instead been delivered using presidential drawdown authority.

The US says the USAI has extra capacity to provide additional support to Kyiv.

The DOD said: "The United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements."

The UK is the second-largest donor of military aid to Ukraine, having committed £2.3bn so far and having pledged to match that in 2023.