**US Allocates $253.7 Million to Increase Missile Production**
The US Defense Department has given $253.7 million to Williams International (Williams) to increase missile production, including for military aid to Ukraine.
**Aid Package for Ukraine**
This funding comes as the Biden administration tries to send more military aid to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration. There are concerns that a future Trump administration might stop sending weapons to Ukraine.
The money will be used to make more engines for missiles like Harpoon, JASSM, LRASM, and Tomahawk. These are precision strike weapons that the US wants to produce at home.
**US Strategy**
“This effort is key to our strategy to make our armed forces stronger,” said Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy.
The funding will also help meet the needs of the Air Force and Navy for engines in their missiles. The US plans to announce a final aid package worth around $1.2 billion soon.
**Russia’s Drone Attack**
Russian forces launched 60 drones at Ukraine overnight from Russian cities. Fourteen crew members were rescued, but two are still missing.
The Trembita is a cheaper cruise missile that operates like the V1 flying bombs used by Germany during World War II.
**Italy and EU Support**
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Italy has delivered 10 military aid packages to Kyiv. These include advanced systems like air defense units.
Europe is unlikely to increase production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine in the coming years, according to Andrius Kubilius, the new EU Commissioner for Defense and Space.
**Sanctions on Russia**
The US plans to impose more sanctions on Russian oil by the end of the year. This targets Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
Read More @ kyivindependent.com