The Army Brief: Artillery and drones for Ukraine; Weapon stockpiles; Citizenship paperwork rules; and more...

Welcome to The Army Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the service’s future. 

Artillery, drones heading to Ukraine. The United States is sending an $800 million security assistance package to Ukraine in preparation for Russian military attacks in the Donbas region, Defense One reports. Included in the package are 155mm howitzers and Mi-17 helicopters that were originally intended for Afghanistan.

Stockpile talks. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks met with defense companies about ways to replenish stockpiles of U.S. military weapons that are being used to help Ukrainian forces, Defense One reports. The U.S. has sent more than 5,500 Javelin missiles, 1,400 Stinger missiles, and 50 million rounds of ammunition.

Naturalization paperwork holdups. A federal judge is concerned the Army is failing to effectively implement new rules to speed up paperwork for new soldiers to become U.S. citizens, Army Times reports. Soldiers no longer have to serve a minimum amount of days before submitting their paperwork, and the Army must process the certification forms within 30 days of receipt. 

Sign up to get The Army Brief every Friday morning from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On April 19, 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the Battle of Lexington and Concord, between the American Minutemen and British soldiers. The night before the battle, Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn people that the British were on their way to seize the weapons stored in Concord.

From Defense One

Biden Rejects Unanimous NSC 'More Often Than You Might Think' // Jacqueline Feldscher

"We will prepare consensus recommendations and he'll say, 'I don't buy that,'" Jake Sullivan said.

After Losses, Russia Regroups for the Donbas and Names 'Butcher of Syria' Head of Ukraine Ops // Tara Copp

A convoy of artillery, aviation support is heading toward Izium. 'We're all bracing ourselves' for what's next, Pentagon says.

The Pentagon Must 'Campaign' Against China, Not Hope for a Goal-Line Stand // Bryan Clark and Dan Patt

To dissuade aggression, the U.S. military must continuously persuade its adversaries to doubt their chances of success.

Russian Scientists Say They Have A New System to Monitor Attacks on the Russian Internet // Patrick Tucker

Attacks on Russian web services have grown considerably since the start of the invasion.