The Pentagon overestimated the worth of weapons despatched to Ukraine by $3bn in an accounting error that will have an effect on when the present funds for arming the war-torn nation run out, in line with individuals acquainted with the matter.

One of many individuals stated that the error occurred by incorrectly utilizing the price of changing the weapons despatched from US stockpiles with new tools, quite than the acquisition worth plus depreciation. Reuters first reported the Pentagon’s overestimation of the worth of help to Ukraine.

Congress final yr authorized $48bn in help for Ukraine, together with $21.7bn for army tools and cash to exchange Pentagon weaponry that has been already despatched to the nation.

Some lawmakers thought these funds would run out by the tip of the summer season. US officers have advised the Monetary Instances that they’d final till October, although it’s unclear how the error might change that timetable.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion started in February 2022, the US has dedicated some $37bn in deadly support to Ukraine, comparable to Javelin and Stinger missile techniques, heavy artillery, tanks, a Patriot air defence battery and different air defence techniques. A lot of that has come from US stockpiles but it surely has additionally included funds for weapons contracts.

It will likely be as much as the White Home to determine when to hunt new help for Kyiv. Washington and its allies have been sending army support to Ukraine forward of a deliberate counter-offensive that they hope will assist it acquire momentum within the struggle.

However a few of Ukraine’s allies fear about what is going to occur when the present funds run out, with senior European officers more and more involved in regards to the circulate of support subsequent yr because the US enters a divisive presidential marketing campaign.

“The Division of Protection’s change in evaluating the prices of arms despatched to Ukraine is a serious mistake,” Roger Wicker, the Republican Senator from Mississippi, stated.

He added: “Its impact can be to underestimate future wants for our European allies. Our precedence needs to be a Ukrainian victory over [Vladimir] Putin. Unilaterally altering army support calculations is an try at deception and undermines this purpose.”