Military aid to Ukraine is a boost for Pa. defense contractors

WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania defense companies have received almost $1.6 billion in federal spending as the U. S. sends military equipment to Ukraine to help fend off the unprovoked Russian invasion.

That’s more than 47 other states and behind only Arizona and Arkansas, according to a newly declassified U.S. Defense Department document.

The document was released just days before President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged Congress to approve another $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, part of a $110 billion emergency spending package that also includes aid to Israel. Congressional Republicans have demanded that funding for increased U.S. border security be included in any spending bill. Senate Republicans blocked the emergency package from advancing Wednesday, with a vote of 49-51 falling short of the 60 votes required.

“This cannot wait,” Mr. Biden said at the White House. “Congress needs to pass supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday recess. It’s as simple as that.”

The defense contracts with companies including General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Raytheon came under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, along with efforts to replenish stockpiles of missiles, artillery, tactical and combat vehicles, and radar systems after nearly two years of providing equipment and training to the country.

Pennsylvania also received at least $428 million to boost production of armaments at federal and private facilities. That, too, was the third-highest in the nation, behind only Arkansas and Texas.

Another contractor, L3Harris, said in a statement: “Funding for Ukraine is critically important to supporting L3Harris operations in Pennsylvania and around the country. We urge Congress to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible.”

More than $3.6 billion went to various U.S. suppliers of 155 millimeter rounds for artillery guns, including the U.S. Army’s ammunition plant in Scranton, which is operated by Virginia-based General Dynamics.

When the war began, government and commercially owned facilities across the U.S. were producing about 14,000 155mm rounds per month, according to Justine Barati, a spokeswoman for Joint Munitions Command.

“The industrial base is now producing 28,000 shells per month, with the goal to further increase production over the next two years,” she said. “These numbers reflect production for Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, as well as several other commercially owned, commercially operated facilities that also produce shells.”

Joint Munitions Command said it would not provide specific capacity details for the Scranton plant due to operational security concerns.