US approves $2.1 billion Patriot missile sale to Ukraine
The sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors will be funded by Canada, Germany and Norway through the US JUMPSTART programme.
The US State Department announced on Friday that it has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1 billion, according to the Hindustan Times. Lockheed Martin will serve as the principal contractor for the deal, which includes spare parts and logistics support.
The purchase will be funded by contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway via the US JUMPSTART programme, as well as funds from a European Union Ukraine Support Loan. The State Department stated that no American financial resources are involved in the transaction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that the country had been waiting nearly a month for the approval of these critical supplies. He noted that Russia has increased attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, including a recent overnight strike involving 17 ballistic missiles.
While the sale was approved, the missiles are not expected to arrive quickly. Two people briefed on the decision told the Hindustan Times that because the interceptors must be manufactured, delivery is likely not anticipated until the early 2030s.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is reportedly encouraging the Pentagon to expedite the process by providing missiles currently held in the US arsenal and replacing them later with the new interceptors. The PAC-3 MSE is considered a highly effective weapon for countering fast-moving ballistic missiles.
