The U.S. State Department has approved a $310 million aid package aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air force, specifically for the training and maintenance of F-16 fighter jets, along with other related equipment, the Pentagon announced.
This development comes shortly after Ukraine and the U.S. signed a new agreement, strongly backed by President Donald Trump, which includes preferential access for American companies to Ukraine’s mineral resources and reconstruction investments, Reuters reports.
Though Ukraine previously received F-16s from U.S. allies under a transfer program greenlit by former President Joe Biden, Trump has been more cautious about new military aid, relying largely on packages previously authorized.
Under Biden’s administration, the U.S. committed over $31 billion in military support through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows direct transfers of defense articles from U.S. stockpiles without Congressional approval.
According to the Pentagon, the primary contractors for this aid package will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, BAE Systems, and AAR Corporation. The package may include aircraft upgrades, pilot training, long-term maintenance, spare parts, ground equipment, software, classified documentation, and logistical support.
