* The U.S. is providing 121 Phoenix Ghost tactical drones for Ukraine
* They are part of the latest $800 million aid package
* U.S. also is providing 72 155mm Howitzers and 144,000 artillery rounds
* Comes as Russia is launching a new phase of its Ukraine invasion
* Biden said the new phase would feature different geography but similear 'brutality' by Russia's forces
* Air Force rapidly developed the drones to meet Kiev's requirements
The Pentagon announced that the U.S. is putting a new weapon in Ukraine's arsenal as it pushes back against Russia's relentless attacks: previously classified Phoenix Ghost drones that have been specially tailored for the conflict.
Little information was available about the weapons system, which President Joe Biden only referenced briefly in remarks announcing the latest $800 million aid package.
The package includes 121 Phoenix Ghost tactical drones, according to the Pentagon, which says they have capabilities similar to the 'Switchblade' drones the U.S. included in the previous military aid package.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 22, 2022
Biden announces heavy artillery, other weapons for Ukraine -- AP
Biden Announces Third $800M Weapons Package To Ukraine To Help Donbas Fight -- Defense One
Biden Unveils Another $800 Million Military Aid Package For Ukraine -- Zero Hedge
Meet ‘Phoenix Ghost,’ the US Air Force’s new drone perfect for Ukraine’s war with Russia -- Breaking Defense
Kyiv Asked for a New Kamikaze Drone to Fight Russia. The Air Force Delivered Phoenix Ghost -- Defense One
Ukraine’s Shift To A New NATO Arsenal Is Unprecedented-And Inevitable -- Forbes
Nato’s ‘achilles heel’: alliance conducts war games in nervous Lithuania -- The Guardian
Sweden to speed up security review as Ukraine puts NATO question in spotlight -- Reuters
NATO eyes in the sky, keeping Europe out of Russia’s war -- AP
U.S. to appoint new commander of NATO allied forces in Europe -- The Week
Navy Could Extend the Oldest Nimitz-class Carriers, Decision in Next Budget -- USNI News
The Biden administration’s new shipbuilding plan is wholly inadequate -- Rep. Rob Wittman and Rep. Mike Rogers, Defense News
Breakdowns, Ripped Clothing and Dying Batteries: Army Commits to Arctic But Still Figuring Out What Soldiers Need -- Military.com
Pentagon to build nuclear microreactors to power far-flung bases -- Military Times
Army Picks Its Replacement for the M4 and SAW -- Military.com
US Army orders more MK22 sniper rifles for close combat force -- Defence-Blog
Soldiers Will Have to Wait Until Next Year for New Rifle, Ammo -- Defense One
Japan, US hold navy drills off Koreas amid nuke test worry -- AP
Japan Feels Heat of China's Intensifying Military Maneuvers -- Newsweek
Russian, Chinese Ships Steaming Near Japan as Carrier Lincoln Operates Near Korea -- USNI News
The West Is As Poorly Prepared to Help Taiwan As It Was for Ukraine. -- Julian Spencer-Churchill, RCD
China President Xi Jinping proposes 'global security initiative' -- ABC News Australia
UK military vaults upgraded to store new US nuclear weapons -- The Guardian
China, Russia Speeding Up Militarization of Space -- Foreign Policy
Fire at Russian military weapons research facility kills one person and injures 30 as scientists jump from window -- Daily Mail
The World's Most Powerful Nuclear Missile Is a Russian ICBM Nicknamed 'Satan' -- Military.com
Russian ICBM test 'not deemed to be a threat' — Pentagon -- DW
UK and India ink Indo-Pacific defense agreement -- DW
Is India planning to shrink its army? -- Soutik Biswas, BBC
Israel successfully tests new laser missile defense system -- AP
In ‘game changer,’ Israeli laser-based air defense shoots down drones -- Times of Israel