The Pentagon’s announcement kicks off a contracting process to procure the weapons which could be delivered in between 6 and 24 months, a senior defence officials told reporters on a conference call.

Funds from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) appropriated by the US Congress will be used to allow the Biden administration to procure weapons from industry rather than from existing US weapons stocks.

Among the package are some 150 vehicles, 40 trucks and 80 trailers to transport heavy equipment, 2 radars to track unmanned aerial systems, 20 multi-mission radars tactical secure communications and surveillance systems as well as body armor training maintenance and spares.

Himars launchers are made by Lockheed Martin Corp.

This announcement marks US$16.2 billion worth of US security assistance since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb 24.