The US has approved the potential sale of Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The US State Department has approved an agreement for the potential sale of 500 Patriot-type missiles to Ukraine, specifically the PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE models. The deal, with an estimated value of 2.1 billion dollars, also includes spare parts and logistical support. According to the State Department, no US budgetary funds will be spent on the purchase. 1TV+5

Funding will be provided by Canada, Germany, and Norway through funds allocated under the US JUMPSTART program, as well as national funds secured by the European Union's Ukraine support loan. The main contractor for the deal will be the company Lockheed Martin. According to the document, the deal is subject to Congressional review. Publika+3

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the US decision important, though he noted that the delivery of the missiles might only begin in a few years. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs the missiles urgently, during the winter period, against the backdrop of strikes carried out by Russia on energy infrastructure. Ukraine is asking the US to find a solution for the accelerated delivery of the missiles, including by using existing stockpiles. 1TV+3

According to reports, the missiles have not yet been produced and their arrival in Ukraine is expected by the early 2030s. Citing Reuters, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is calling on the Pentagon to accelerate the delivery timelines. Formula+2