US quietly boosts Ukraine's drone power with $1.5B aid
"The USA secretly helped Ukraine develop a program for modern drones worth $1.5 billion," reports "The New York Times."
The administration of US President Joe Biden disclosed secret information regarding support for Ukraine in the development and production of drones. According to "The New York Times" (NYT), citing American officials, part of the military aid to Ukraine was secret and not publicly announced.
Secret support for Kyiv
This included support in developing a new generation of combat drones. In September of last year, the USA allocated $1.5 billion for this purpose. Additionally, the USA sponsored Ukrainian drone manufacturers and financed the purchase of necessary parts, as well as sent intelligence service personnel to allies to support the program's development, NYT sources claim.
American investments helped Ukraine launch large-scale drone production and enhance the country's capabilities in confronting the larger and better-equipped Russian army, American officials noted.
"We've seen how drones are becoming increasingly significant in the war in Ukraine and will play a key role in future battles," said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday. He added that US support had "a real strategic impact" on the course of the war in Ukraine.
Sharing intelligence data
"CIA Director William Burns also mentioned the support for the production program of modern drones in Ukraine," writes NYT. According to him, the USA exchanged intelligence data with Kyiv and supported "certain systems that proved to be very effective."
Sullivan noted that active work on new drones began after the first Ukrainian forces' counteroffensive in the fall of 2022. Efforts intensified during preparations for Ukraine's second counteroffensive in 2023, which was not as successful, partly due to Russia's active use of drones. The 2023 counteroffensive was "a hard lesson," as NYT's interviewees said, because Russian drones attacked tanks and armored vehicles supplied to Ukraine by the USA and Europe as they tried to cross minefields.
Following the setback in the 2023 campaign, the USA quickly increased support for the Ukrainian drone industry. Besides financial aid, the Biden administration worked on establishing contacts between American tech companies and Ukrainian drone manufacturers. It is also noted that in the fall of last year, the Pentagon allocated $800 million for drone production in Ukraine. This funding went towards purchasing components and supporting enterprises. Biden informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the additional $1.5 billion aid during his visit to Washington in September.
