US approves $2.1bn Patriot missile sale to Ukraine after Zelensky’s protest

The United States has approved a possible sale of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, PAC-3 MSE, missiles to Ukraine.

The estimated total cost is $2.1 billion, according to the State Department’s Foreign Military Sale congressional notification issued on Friday.

Kyiv had requested to purchase 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles and non-major defense equipment items, such as PAC-3 MSE spare parts, and other related elements.

Washington said the sale will support the US foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of Ukraine, “a force for political and economic stability in Europe.”

The State Department informed Congress that the weapons will sustain Ukraine’s existing Patriot system operations against current and future aerial threats.

Ukraine is financing the purchase with contributions from Canada, Germany, and Norway, as well as funds from the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan.

Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor for the sale, which is subject to congressional review under the Arms Export Control Act.

The notification came 11 days after President Volodymyr Zelensky protested the delay in US military assistance while speaking with a bipartisan delegation from the US Senate and House of Representatives.

During the October 19 virtual meeting, the Ukrainian leader said Russia’s attacks have become more vicious and dirty, citing the incident in the Kharkiv region, which killed six people, including a mother and her child.

“This is how Russia responds to sanctions waivers and reduced pressure,” Zelensky told the US lawmakers, who assured Ukraine of their support for efforts to bring an end to the war.