"Pentagon's $500M Aid Boost Strengthens Ukraine's Security and Independence"
The Pentagon is utilizing a portion of the $40 billion Ukraine aid package to strengthen defense supply chains and reduce reliance on Russia and China. Grants have been issued to companies for projects such as modernizing rocket propulsion systems, expanding high-priority aluminum production, and exploring cobalt mining. The aim is to onshore critical defense supply chains and increase domestic production of key materials like aluminum and cobalt, which are currently dominated by Russia and China. The Pentagon also plans to open campuses across the country to facilitate collaborative efforts between U.S. and allied companies in various sectors of the defense supply chain. Additionally, the Pentagon expects to make awards to U.S. companies for manufacturing critical chemicals currently sourced from China.