The US State Department has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal estimated to be worth $2.1 billion, as Kiev seeks to reinforce its defences against intensifying Russian attacks.
In a statement on Friday, the department said the purchase would be financed through contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway channelled via the US JUMPSTART programme, alongside national funds backed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan.
Lockheed Martin will serve as the principal contractor for the sale.
Zelenskyy presses Washington to speed up deliveries
The approval comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week that Kyiv had been waiting nearly a month for Washington to authorise critical missile supplies.
Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure, increasing pressure on Kiev to strengthen its air defence capabilities before winter.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged the US to accelerate deliveries of air defence missiles purchased by NATO allies through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
The programme allows NATO members to fund the purchase of US-made weapons for Ukraine, including air defence systems and ammunition.
