Ukraine military aid boosts US economy, too

Opinion

editorial

By Post Editorial Board

Congress needs to fund aid immediately for Ukraine’s defense if it hopes to prevent Russia from gobbling it up and threatening a wider war that could rope in the United States. But America will enjoy a major spinoff benefit from the aid as well: a $38.8 billion boost to its economy.

US weaponry and training has played a decisive role in Ukraine’s ability to defend against the advances of Vladimir Putin’s forces over the past two years, but Ukrainian forces are now running dangerously low on munitions.

For its own long-term strategic benefit, Washington shouldn’t let Ukraine fall. Yet providing Kyiv with the funds it needs to survive comes with handsome returns for the US economy as well.

Indeed, of the proposed $60 billion in Ukraine aid, nearly $14 billion goes to rearming its military forces through the purchase of weapons and munitions — from mostly American manufacturers.  

The top five global arms manufacturers — Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics — are based in the US.

The US is home to about half of the world’s top 100 arms makers. Lockheed produces Javelin anti-tank missiles which have proved critical in Kyiv’s defense strategy.

Equally critical advanced weapons systems, such as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, are also made by US defense firms.

There’s more: Europe’s support for Ukraine has also been a big plus for America’s economy, as EU countries look to replenish their own military stockpiles by buying from America.

Indeed, recent spending on US fighter jets and other military hardware represents “a generational-type investment,” military industry analyst Myles Walton told The Wall Street Journal. “The past few years are equal to the prior 20 years.”

When Zelensky addressed Congress in December 2022, he assured Americans: “Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in the global security that we will handle in the most responsible way.”

Turns out US aid is not only an investment in global security but in the American economy as well.

Congress needs to end the gridlock and pass an Ukraine-aid package now.