The Pentagon is planning to host a meeting with eight(8) of the largest defence contractors in the US, as Washington plans to up military assistance to Ukraine in preparation for a protracted conflict against Russia, as per reports.
On Wednesday, the reported meeting comes as Russian troops are regrouping after Moscow said it was withdrawing its forces from near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and shifting its focus to the country’s east.
As per one of the defence officials, “We will hold talks on industry proposals to drive production of existing systems as well as develop new, modernised capabilities critical to the department’s ongoing security help to Ukraine and long-term readiness of US and ally forces.”
Among the companies invited are Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who together produce the lightweight Javelin anti-tank missile system. Raytheon also makes the portable anti-aircraft Stringer missile system. Pentagon officials say both systems have proven particularly effective for Ukrainian forces in the wake of Russia’s invasion on February 24.
Meanwhile, reports were there that the administration of President Joe Biden could made an announcement of an additional $750 million in military assistance to Ukraine as soon as Wednesday.
Last week, the White House has mentioned that it has provided, till date, more than $1.7 billion in security help to Ukraine since the invasion, including some 5,000 Javelins and more than 1,400 Stingers.