President Joe Biden Wednesday announced an additional $800 million in assistance to Ukraine’s military as the country continues to fight a Russian invasion that began last month. Biden signed the aid into law this week.
He said drones would be part of the package, “which demonstrates our commitment to sending our most cutting-edge systems to Ukraine for its defense.”
According to Politico, Texas Rep. Mike McCaul – the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee – said the U.S. is expected to send 100 Switchblade drones to Ukraine. U.S.-based AeroVironment manufacturer makes two models of the Switchblade, the 300 and the 600.
“Switchblade 300 delivers increased warfighter lethality with real-time GPS coordinates and video for precise targeting with low collateral effects,” said AeroVironment.
“Switchblade 600 represents the next generation of extended-range loitering missiles,” the manufacturer said of the other model.
NBC News described the “killer drones” as “explosives-laden” smart bombs. While the 300 is designed for pinpoint strikes on personnel, the larger 600 is meant to destroy tanks and other armored vehicles, said the outlet.
“They can be programmed to automatically strike targets miles away, and they can be steered around objectives until the time is right to strike,” said NBC News.
Biden said the U.S. is “going to provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine,” including 800 antiaircraft systems and, at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is helping the country obtain longer-range antiaircraft systems.
During a press briefing Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki noted that the U.S. is sending antiaircraft systems and stringer weapons to Ukraine. She said she would not go into specifics for security reasons, but that the weapons would be used to shoot down planes.
“This is all defensive equipment and materials,” Psaki added.
She said the Ukrainian military could use the weapons to fight off the “unprovoked and unjustified” Russian attack. However, she said that neither the U.S. nor North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops would be interested in shooting down Russian planes through a no-fly zone at this time.
“We are not interested in getting into World War III,” Psaki said.
Zelensky has asked for a no-fly zone to be put in place.
“I have a dream. These words are known to each of you today,” Zelensky said Wednesday during a speech. “I can say, I have a need. I need to protect our sky. I need your help.”
Psaki did not know Wednesday if Zelensky would be present at a NATO summit planned for next week. Although she said the U.S. is still open to a diplomatic end to the conflict, Psaki said there has been no sign of de-escalation from the Russian Federation or Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Over the past week, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with $1 billion in aid, and has given a total of $2 billion over the past year. At least 30 counties have provided security equipment to the war-torn country.
Use of the Switchblade drones in Ukraine would be “the most significant use of the weapon in combat to date,” said NBC News.
Previously, the U.S. military used the Switchblade in combat “under limited circumstances” in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and the U.K. is the only foreign country authorized to buy the equipment, according to outlet.
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