US finalizes sale of 150 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine

The State Department has approved a sale of military equipment to Ukraine that includes 150 anti-tank missiles to help fight Russia-backed separatists. A Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice says the $39.2 million sale includes 10 launch units for the Javelin missiles and related equipment. The agency announced the sale Thursday after notifying Congress, where the leadership gave initial approval earlier this week. President Donald Trump earlier this year delayed nearly $400 in aid to Ukraine as he sought to press the country’s president to investigate the son of former Vice President Joe Biden. This sale is not part of that aid package. The U.S. has been providing assistance to Ukraine since Russia-backed separatists invaded in 2014 following the ouster of a Kremlin-backed leader in an Eastern European country that was once part of the Soviet Union.

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U.S. should send more Javelins to Ukraine: Air Force Gen.

Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, the Supreme Allied Commander, told Pentagon reporters on Thursday that he believes that the U.S. should send more Javelins to Ukraine beyond those already in the pipeline. He said the Javelins, which are manufactured in a joint venture by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and the military training teams that deploy with them allow Ukraine to better protect itself. Earlier, Congress and the State Department have given initial approval to a $39 million sale of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine to help the country battle Russia-backed separatists, officials said Tuesday. Congressional aides said final approval of the sale of the Javelin missiles is expected to be announced soon after both Republicans and Democrats signed off on the proposal. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity because the sale is not final.

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Javelin missile manufactured by joint venture of Lockheed Martin

It was first reported on Tuesday by Bloomberg News. The State Department declined to comment. Ukraine requested the missiles earlier this year. It is not part of the aid that was delayed as President Donald Trump pressed the Ukrainian president to investigate his political rival. The Javelin missile is manufactured by a joint venture of Lockheed Martin, based in North Bethesda, Maryland, and Raytheon Co., which has its headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. The U.S. has been providing military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded following the ouster of a Kremlin-backed president in 2014.

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