US clears 500 Patriot interceptors for Ukraine in $2.1bn deal
The US has approved a proposed sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, which has been struggling to defend against intensifying Russian air attacks. The approval comes after Kyiv said deliveries had been delayed and President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine was critically short of the missiles.
The $2.1bn purchase will be funded by European allies and Canada, with no US funds involved; Lockheed Martin is named as the principal contractor. The order is understood to be for newly built missiles, so delivery may take time: the US produces about 600 Patriots a year, and demand is high amid a global shortage.
In short
- US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
- European allies and Canada will fund the $2.1bn purchase.
- New production and shortages may delay deliveries.
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Originally published by BBC World as “US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine”.