WASHINGTON, November 3. /TASS/. The US administration is sending Ukraine another tranche of military aid totaling $425 mln, which will include air defense, weapons and equipment, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a written statement.

According to him, "the United States is announcing a new package of weapons and equipment to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their country and their freedom." The military aid is also aimed at strengthening the air defense system, Blinken added.

In turn, the Pentagon said in a written statement that Kiev would receive $125 mln worth of weapons from the warehouses of the US military department. Meanwhile, $300 mln of aid is being sent within the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which stipulates that the US Department of Defense conclude contracts with manufacturers rather than providing equipment and funds directly from its stockpiles. The US authorities have included in the next tranche of military aid shells for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), ammunition for anti-tank systems, as well as laser-guided munitions to combat unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, Washington is sending Kiev artillery shells of 105-and 155-mm caliber, more than 3 mln rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, Claymore anti-personnel mines and 12 trucks for transportation of heavy equipment.

According to the Pentagon, US allies and partners "have provided Ukraine with security assistance worth about $35 bln." Meanwhile, Washington has spent $44.2 bln on military support for Kiev since the start of the special military operation.