US approves $2.1 billion sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The US approved a sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine, valued at $2.1 billion. Ukraine’s president welcomed the decision but warned delivery could take years; Ukraine and its partners are seeking an earlier supply from existing stocks. (53f3478d-a722-471e-a71b-fd8598fe5101; 14685ba8-5238-4925-8474-982d5e5b2357; ae2e99a6-68c7-45db-93b6-5525d4f70483)

• The State Department approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1 billion.· 2 sources
• The State Department said the purchase would be funded by donations from Canada, Germany and Norway, with national funds financed by the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan; the cited reports say no US funds are involved.· 2 sources
• Zelenskyy said deliveries could begin only in a few years and called for allies to provide missiles from existing stocks while new ones are produced.· 2 sources
• The reports describe the approval as coming amid Ukraine’s requests for more interceptors and ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.· 2 sources
• Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor, and the missiles have not yet been manufactured, according to reports citing people briefed on the decision.· 2 sources