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Foreign military assistance

NATO Launches New Program to Provide Reliable Military Aid to Ukraine

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the NATO summit gets underway, the alliance is set to launch a new program to provide reliable military aid to Ukraine, supplementing the existing Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The plan aims to help Ukraine prepare to join NATO, as well as provide training and equipment to its military forces. The new program, dubbed NSATU, will be based at the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden in Germany and will have a staff of around 700, including some working at logistics nodes in eastern allied nations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, created by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in February 2022, has provided more than $100 billion in weapons, equipment, and training to Ukraine.
  • The U.S. has sent more than $53.6 billion in security aid to Ukraine, including $25 billion in presidential drawdown authority and $27 billion in longer-term funding for weapons contracts.
  • The new NSATU program will coordinate training and equipment donations for Ukraine, with a focus on interoperability with NATO member countries.
  • The program will oversee three main areas: developing Ukraine's armed forces, planning and coordinating allied contributions, and repairing and maintaining equipment.
  • The estimated budget for the new program is at least €40 billion ($43.3 billion) within the next year.
  • The program aims to help facilitate Ukraine's effort to become a member of NATO, with a focus on meeting political, economic, and security criteria.

Statistics:

  • Over the past two years, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has pumped more than $100 billion in weapons, equipment, and training into Ukraine.
  • The U.S. has provided more than $53.6 billion in security aid to Ukraine, including $25 billion in presidential drawdown authority and $27 billion in longer-term funding for weapons contracts.
  • The rest of the NATO members and other international partners have provided about $50 billion in weapons and security assistance.
  • The new NSATU program aims to provide at least €40 billion ($43.3 billion) within the next year.
  • The program will have a staff of around 700, including some working at logistics nodes in eastern allied nations.

Sources:

  • [Associated Press: Biden NATO Summit](https://www.apnews.com/article/biden-nato-summit-what-to-watch-for-d0d66a492526bc2e4bb7def76367d2d3)
  • [The Kiel Institute for the World Economy](https://www.ifw-kiel.de/)
  • [U.S. Department of Defense: Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative](https://www.defense.gov/global-security/funding/opportunities/ukraine-security-assistance-initiative/)

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