The US Department of Defense is looking for suppliers who will develop innovative weapons for Ukraine in 30 days, and more sophisticated weapons in 180 days: the agency is currently considering 1,300 proposals from 800 companies. This is reported by CNN, citing a source in the department.
According to a Defense Department spokesman, the Pentagon will decide in the coming weeks on what ideas it will implement. It is planned that the developed and manufactured weapons will be used in the struggle of Ukraine against Russia, as well as for the US Armed Forces. All proposals under consideration are centered around key areas and include air defense, anti-tank, anti-personnel, coastal, unmanned aerial systems, counter-battery and secure communications, which have been identified by Ukraine as a key military need.
The purpose of the US Department of Defense initiative is to get ideas and information, as well as speed up production and build more capacity. The agency notes that now the United States and its allies will probably have to support Ukraine for a long time after its own stockpiles of weapons run out.
The day before, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Valeriy Zaluzhny said on Telegram that he had a telephone conversation with the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley. They discussed the main task of the Ukrainian Defense Forces: the liberation of Ukrainian lands within internationally recognized borders. Zaluzhny specified that an important condition for the success of Ukraine's defense and counter-offensive actions is the provision of "an appropriate material and technical resource." He thanked the United States for the assistance provided and added that the country is very much looking forward to further support.
On July 1, the U.S. Department of Defense announced an additional $820 million military aid package for Ukraine. The package includes an additional shipment of HIMARS multiple rocket launcher munitions, two NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems, about 150,000 155mm caliber rounds, and four counter-battery radar systems. In total, since the beginning of the war, the United States has allocated $6.9 billion for military assistance to Ukraine.
After that, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky published a video message on Telegram in which he thanked US President Joe Biden for a new military aid package for Ukraine:
“Three cruise missiles on Sergeevka. Also missiles on Zatoka. Immediately 12 missiles hit Nikolaev - at various objects in the city. This is just for one night and morning. My condolences to the families and friends of all whose lives have been taken by such blows.
I am especially grateful to the United States of America and personally to President Biden for the new aid package for Ukraine announced today, which also includes very powerful NASAMS systems. This is an anti-aircraft missile system that will significantly strengthen our air defense. We have worked hard for this delivery.”
