U.S. Approves $104 Million Support Package to Sustain Ukraine’s M777 Howitzers

The United States has approved a $104 million support package to help Ukraine maintain and operate its M777 howitzers, a key artillery system in the country’s fight against Russia. This new deal does not include additional weapons, but focuses entirely on keeping existing M777s combat-ready through repairs, spare parts, technical support, and training.

This Foreign Military Sale (FMS) was recently cleared by the U.S. Department of State and formally notified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The U.S. emphasized that this decision supports its long-term commitment to Ukraine without altering the overall military balance in the region.

According to the official statement, Ukraine requested services and equipment for the long-term sustainment of the M777 howitzers already in its arsenal. The support package includes:

• Maintenance equipment and spare parts

• Repair and overhaul services

• Technical assistance and training for Ukrainian crews

• Publications and logistics support

• Integration of these services into Ukraine's defense infrastructure

This deal does not involve any Major Defense Equipment (MDE) and no new howitzers will be delivered. Instead, it is focused on sustaining and optimizing the artillery systems already in use, many of which have been under heavy strain since the war began in 2022.

The M777 howitzer is a 155mm lightweight towed artillery piece known for its precision and mobility. It can fire standard shells as well as GPS-guided munitions like the M982 Excalibur, making it highly effective against Russian targets. The M777 can be rapidly deployed by air and provides long-range fire support, a vital capability in Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensives and defense operations.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the U.S. has delivered nearly 200 M777 howitzers to Ukraine, with additional units coming from Canada and Australia. These howitzers have become a backbone of Ukraine’s artillery forces, but due to their high usage in combat, many units now require ongoing maintenance and repair.

The U.S. believes this support package will improve Ukraine’s ability to maintain and operate the M777s locally, reducing dependence on foreign repair services. Importantly, no U.S. personnel will be sent to Ukraine under this deal, and it will not impact the readiness of U.S. forces.

BAE Systems, headquartered in the UK’s Barrow-in-Furness, has been named the lead contractor for this effort. As of now, there are no offset agreements (arrangements for Ukraine to provide something in return), though future negotiations may address that.

In short, this $104 million deal marks a critical step in ensuring Ukraine’s artillery strength remains intact, not by adding new weapons, but by keeping the existing ones in top shape. With Russia’s war dragging on, sustaining battlefield equipment like the M777 will remain essential for Ukraine’s defense and regional stability.