US plans to approve transfer of 10 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine from Germany

The US government is prepared to authorise the transfer of 10 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, initiated by the German government.

Source: a US State Department arms sales notification, published in the Congressional Record, the official journal of the Congress

Details: Ukraine is to receive 10 MIM-104E GEM-T missiles with an initial value of US$29.6 million. The munitions belong to Germany; however, under the terms of such agreements, a purchasing country cannot transfer American weaponry to a third party without US consent.

Quote: "This transfer is consistent with US security assistance objectives. The United States government is prepared to authorise this transfer, having taken into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations."

Details: According to the State Department, Ukraine seeks to obtain the interceptor missiles to "bolster its air defence capability against ongoing Russian attacks".

Background:

• In early September, German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius announced that PAC-2 missiles would be supplied to Ukraine from Bundeswehr (Germany's Armed Forces) stockpiles.
• Earlier, UP reported that Ukraine is signing contracts for the supply of around 1,000 missiles for Patriot air defence systems, according to Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara. Future missile deliveries will take time, making it necessary for Ukraine to receive missiles from its partners' existing stockpiles before winter.

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