The US is giving Ukraine billions more in weapons. Here's how they will help

The Biden administration's latest infusion of more than $2.7 billion in military aid for Ukraine and the promise of billions more will give Kyiv a massive boost in air defenses, but much of the aid is in long-range contracts for weapons that won't be seen on the battlefield for some time.

Included in a $2.4 billion long-term assistance package announced Thursday — just before meetings between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — is another Patriot missile battery and additional munitions for the system.

Patriots are critical air defense systems that the U.S. military uses around the world to protect American forces and allies. It is a high-demand air defense capability, and the U.S. has a limited number of them and the missiles they fire.

The system is being provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds longer-term contracts.

An additional $375 million package of more immediate aid also was announced this week, including an undisclosed number of glide bombs equipped with cluster munitions, as well as a wide array of rockets, missiles and artillery. Those weapons are coming through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon quickly to pull supplies from its shelves to speed them to Ukraine's front line.

All said, the latest support raises the total amount of weapons and security assistance the U.S. has provided Ukraine to almost $60 billion since Russia invaded in February 2022.

For comparison, the U.S. spent $60.6 billion from 2003 through 2012 to fund Iraq’s security forces and civilian reconstruction, according to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. Of that total, $20 billion went to funding,