US State Department approves $2.1 billion sale of 500 PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems to Ukraine
The US State Department has approved a possible sale of PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. The total value of the contract, fully funded by Ukraine’s partners, is $2.1 billion.
The US State Department’s press service reported this, Censor.NET reports.
Package size and contents
The State Department said the Ukrainian government had requested to purchase 500 PAC-3 missiles.
The package will also include related equipment: classified and unclassified spare parts for PAC-3 MSE, as well as other logistical and software support elements.
Partners will cover the cost
The statement said Ukraine’s international partners would pay for the missiles. Funding will be provided by Canada, Germany and Norway through the JUMPSTART programme, as well as through national funds financed under the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan programme.
The State Department stressed that no US budget funds are earmarked for the deal.
Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor.
"The sale will improve Ukraine’s ability to counter current and future threats by strengthening its integrated air and missile defence system. This deal will help sustain the uninterrupted operation of existing Patriot systems to counter ongoing aerial threats," the US State Department said.
Background
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had been waiting almost a month for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to approve the transfer of additional Patriot missiles.
