US approves possible sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine
The US Department of State has approved a possible foreign military sale to Ukraine of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles for Patriot air defence systems.
Source: European Pravda, citing the US State Department
Details: The total estimated cost is US$2.1 billion, which is fully funded by partners and allies.
Ukraine had requested to buy 500 PAC-3 missiles. The delivery will also include non-major defence equipment: classified and unclassified spare parts for PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles, as well as other related elements of logistical and software support.
Quote: "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe."
Details: Ukraine will pay for this procurement using donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway under the JUMPSTART programme (Joint Ukraine Multinational Programme – Services, Training and Articles Rapid Timeline) and national funds financed by the European Union's Ukraine Support Loan. No US funds are involved in this deal.
Quote: "The proposed sale will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by improving its integrated air and missile defence capabilities."
Background:
- On 26 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv had been waiting for nearly a month for Pete Hegseth to sign off on supplies of missiles for Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine has received an average of only 12 missiles per month for Patriot systems in 2026.
- Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara called on the E5 countries – Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Poland and Italy – to consider transferring 10% of their stockpiles of interceptor missiles for Patriot and IRIS-T systems to Ukraine in exchange for future deliveries awaited by Kyiv.
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