Significant funds remain unspent in U.S. military aid programs for Ukraine, with $7.1 billion unused under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) and another $2.2 billion left under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). These figures were provided by Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder during a recent briefing.
A critical question now is whether President Joe Biden’s administration can allocate these funds before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.
Read more: US Resumes Explosives Production for Shells After 38-Year Break: What Time and Money Are Needed
Only 83% of pledged supplies of 155mm artillery shells, GMLRS rockets, and interceptors for Patriot and NASAMS systems have been delivered, and even lower percentages for other categories like Stinger and MIM-23 Hawk missiles (67%) and SDB glide bombs (60%).
Also, Ryder acknowledged that certain transferred weapons needed refurbishment before shipment, which added to the delays. He assured that the U.S. remains committed to equipping Ukraine against russian aggression.
Trump’s full assumption of office could jeopardize the continuation of U.S. aid to Ukraine, at least in current quantities and limitations. Although objectively, the entire defense policy of the United States is now in the zone of absolute uncertainty. In such conditions, an essential insurance would be securing already promised aid while still under Biden.
The USAI funds, which cover contracts with U.S. manufacturers, will only be able to reach their destination in a year or two, meaning these supplies are anyway outside the influence of the current American government.
Conversely, the PDA fund — allocated for immediate transfers from existing Pentagon stocks — represents an opportunity for more rapid action. Since April, only $3.7 billion of PDA funds have been expended, leaving a remaining balance of $7.1 billion after adjustments from a 2023 accounting error. To meet the program’s 2024 target, the Pentagon would need to effectively double its pace of spending over the next two months.
And there would be no issues if it were possible to destroy the enemy with money but actually converting them into weapons has always been a challenge for the Pentagon, especially with its "double counting" approach, where it counts not only PDA balances but also the cost of replenishing U.S. weapons stocks.
Therefore, in order to put all the $7.1 billion to use, the U.S. Department of Defense may need to recalibrate its current strategy, possibly focusing on the transfer of equipment that doesn’t require extensive restoration and could be helpful as it is.
Read more: Spain's Order For Eurofighters Opens Second Chance For Ukraine to Get Used F/A-18
