FrankenSAM and Ammunition: U.S. Unveils $6B Aid Package

The Biden administration has announced a $6 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

The press service of the U.S. Department of Defense reported on this.

The assistance package is provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

Under this program, the United States purchases weapons from American industry or partners.

The capabilities in this announcement include:

• Additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems;
• Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
• Equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s air defense systems;
• Counter-UAS equipment and systems;
• Munitions for laser-guided rocket systems;
• Multi-mission radars;
• Counter-artillery radars;
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 152mm artillery rounds;
• Precision aerial munitions;
• Switchblade and Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
• Tactical vehicles to tow weapons and equipment;
• Demolition munitions;
• Components to support Ukrainian production of UAS and other capabilities;
• Small arms and additional small arms ammunition; and
• Ancillary items and support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

“This USAI package highlights the strong and unwavering U.S. commitment to meet Ukraine’s most pressing immediate and longer-term capability needs to fight Russian aggression as part of the global coalition we have built with some 50 Allies and partners,” the U.S. Department of Defense stated.

The integration of air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukrainian air defense systems, better known as FrankenSAM, is attracting special attention.

The United States, through the FrankenSAM project (a combination of the words “Frankenstein” and “SAM”), helped Ukraine obtain two types of anti-aircraft missile systems capable of using Western missiles.

In particular, it was possible to create an air defense system capable of firing AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. The improvised anti-aircraft system was built using radars and other components provided by the U.S. and Ukrainian allies.

The collaboration between American and Ukrainian engineers has resulted in a technical solution that will allow the Buk air defense system to fire RIM-7 missiles.

Americans expect that FrankenSAM will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian air defense system.

Read more in the article “FrankenSAM program: the second life of outdated missiles”.

A $1 billion military aid package

Militarnyi previously reported on the earlier military aid package on April 24, 2024.

In general, the package was formed to transfer a large number of missile weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles, namely AIM-9M short-range air-to-air missiles, RIM-7 radar missiles, as well as Stinger MANPADS.

The list also includes anti-tank missile systems, including TOW and Javeline portable anti-tank missile systems and AT-4 anti-armor systems.

Separate mention should be made of additional ammunition for the HIMARS rocket systems, the detailed composition of which is unknown and may include both GMLRS and ATACMS ballistic missiles.

Among other things, the list includes the transfer of a large amount of 105mm artillery rounds and 155mm artillery rounds, as well as firearms.

Armored vehicles slated for transfer include Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, MRAP protected vehicles, and the HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles.

Other equipment on the list includes precision aerial munitions, airfield support equipment, anti-armor mines, night vision devices, spare parts, field equipment, training ammunition, and more.