US President Joe Biden has approved the shipment of a brand-new type of precision-guided artillery rounds as part of its new tranche of military assistance to Ukraine, according to a senior defense official. The insider said the most recent security support would be a combination of capabilities currently used throughout the conflict and newly developed technology.

The administration believes this round will give Ukraine a technological advantage in its power struggle against Russia. According to the source, who spoke anonymously, the 1,000 rounds of the new 155mm ammunition will be included in the new $400 million aid package that the White House will release.

Another Set of Rockets

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicles with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, Kentucky Army National Guard participating in Saber Strike 18 execute a fire mission at Bemoko Piskie, Poland, June 14, 2018. (Source: Charles Rosemond, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

The shipment also includes four additional rocket launchers and ammunition, taking the total number of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) that the US is supplying to Ukraine to 12. But, the official also said that eight of the 12 HIMARS pledged to Ukraine have already been delivered. According to a senior military officer, as many as 100 Ukrainians have trained extensively on the technology.

The defense conglomerate Lockheed Martin is responsible for producing the HIMARS, built to fire several missiles from a mobile 5-ton truck. According to the official, US troops will continue to teach Ukrainian forces at a place outside of Ukraine how to operate the equipment.

The official noted that they would continue to educate soldiers since we see this as a protracted struggle. The HIMARS training typically takes around a week to finish.

“We will continue to train them because we see this as a sustained battle,” he said.

The most recent shipment of assistance also has three tactical vehicles, demolition munitions, counter-battery systems, and replacement components, in addition to other types of machinery.

When reporters prodded the official for further information, he turned down to elaborate when asked how many Ukrainian forces have so far finished their training on the HIMARS platform.