Pentagon overestimates value of weapons, equipment given to Ukraine by US$6.2b

WASHINGTON, US - The Pentagon overestimated the value of the weapons and equipment it has sent to Ukraine by US$6.2 billion over the past two years, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, which will enable the US to provide more military aid to Ukrainian forces without having to ask Congress for additional funding.

"In a significant number of cases, (military) services used replacement costs rather than net book value, thereby overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from US stocks and provided to Ukraine," Anadolu Agency reported Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.

She said the Defense Department overestimated the value of the equipment sent to Ukraine in fiscal years 2023 and 2022 by US$3.6 billion and US$2.6 billion, respectively.

"These valuation errors in no way limited or restricted the size of any of our (Presidential Drawdown Authorities) or impacted the provision of support to Ukraine," Singh added.

The US has supplied Ukraine with billions of dollars in military assistance since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.

The aid has included a wide range of military equipment such as air defense systems, anti-tank munitions, long-range rocket systems, suicide drones and armored personnel carriers. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU AGENCY