Portman issues statement on new military assistance to Ukraine

On Thursday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) released the following statement on the State Department’s announcement that they will provide $20 million for long-range counter-battery radars for the Ukrainian military:
 
“I’m pleased that the Administration recognized the Ukrainian military’s urgent need for increased military assistance,” Portman said. “I hope this decision represents a renewed commitment to standing up to Russia’s aggression and is merely the first in a series of additional, concrete steps to increase Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty.

 

[[In-content Ad]]“Long-range counter-battery radar is among the most urgent Ukrainian military needs, and I have long argued that the United States should provide this critical capability to Ukraine. I look forward to continuing to work with the State Department, DoD and our Embassy team in Kyiv to ensure the effective implementation of this, and other, U.S. assistance.”
 
Artillery fire has been the leading source of casualties in the Ukraine conflict. The TPQ-36 counter-batter radars the U.S. will provide to Ukraine will help Ukrainian forces detect incoming artillery fire and locate the source, a new capability for Ukraine that will save lives.
 
Yesterday, Portman announced that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 includes key elements of his Ukraine security assistance amendment, including language specifically authorizing medium and long-range counter-batter radars. Portman originally introduced his amendment in June as part of his efforts to provide targeted and effective military assistance to Ukraine as it struggles to defend itself against Russian aggression.