US to provide Ukraine with long-range missile in latest aid package

The US says its latest aid package being sent to Ukraine will contain long-range missiles, capable of almost doubling their current attack range.

The ground-launched small-diameter bombs (GLSDB) are capable of hitting targets 150km away.

Up until now, Ukraine's longest-range weapon was the Himars rocket system, which can hit targets up to 80km away.

In a tweet Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, thanked US President Joe Biden, saying:

"The more long-range our weapons are and the more mobile our troops are, the sooner Russia's brutal aggression will end".

Previously, Western nations have ruled out sending offensive weapons to Ukraine, which could be used to strike Russia.

• US weapons manufacturer offers Ukraine deadly combat drones for $1
• All the secrets about Leopard 2 tanks can be found on Google, German captain says
• The advanced Vector drones being used by Ukraine that can fly without pilot or operator

It is reported that there has been speculation as to whether the weapons could be used to attack parts of annexed Crimea.

Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder told reporters "when it comes to Ukrainian plans on operations, clearly that is their decision,

"This gives them a longer-range capability, long-range fires capability, that will enable them, again, to conduct operations in defence of their country and take back their sovereign territory, Russian-occupied areas."

Alongside the long-range missile the US will be providing Ukraine with the following:

• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
• Additional 155mm artillery rounds
• Additional 120mm mortar rounds
• 190 heavy machine guns with thermal imagery sights and associated ammunition to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems
• 181 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles
• 250 Javelin anti-armor systems
• 2,000 anti-armor rockets
• Claymore anti-personnel munitions
• Demolitions munitions
• Cold weather gear, helmets, and other field equipment.
• Two HAWK air defense firing units.
• Anti-aircraft guns and ammunition.
• Equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s air defense systems.
• Equipment to sustain Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities.
• Air defense generators.
• Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Four air surveillance radars.
• 20 counter-mortar radars.
• Spare parts for counter-artillery radars.
• Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Precision-guided rockets.
• Secure communications equipment.
• Medical supplies.
• Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.

The Pentagon reconfirmed that the US is committed to working with Allies and partners to "provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements."