US sells new F-16 weapons worth $310 million to Ukraine
U.S.state Department Approves $310 Million Package for F-16 training and Support to Ukraine
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, Reuters reported on Friday—quoting the U.S.Department of Defense (Pentagon)—that the U.S.State Department has agreed to a $310 million sale of F-16 fighter jet training and maintenance services to Ukraine.
Reuters added that this agreement came days after Ukraine and the U.S. signed a deal strongly supported by Donald trump, the current U.S. president, granting Washington preferential access to new Ukrainian mineral contracts as well as funding for the country’s reconstruction.
The report stated: “Previously, the administration of former president Biden had authorized transferring F-16s to Ukraine through Washington’s allies. Trump has been less inclined toward direct arms shipments to Kyiv,relying more on transfers already approved by the biden administration.”
The news agency noted that under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), the Biden administration allocated over $31 billion in weapons and military equipment to Ukraine—a mechanism allowing the U.S. president to transfer arms directly from american stockpiles without congressional approval.While such shipments continue, Reuters clarified that this latest deal is separate from PDA and constitutes an autonomous arms sale contract.
Per Pentagon details, primary contractors include Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, BAE Systems, and AAR Corporation. The potential sale covers aircraft upgrades/modifications, flight training, technical support/maintenance, spare parts repairs ground equipment classified software/documentation
