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The U.S. Department of State has decided to approve a potential sale to Ukraine of a service package for the modernization of Patriot air defense systems worth 105 million dollars.
This was reported on the website of the U.S. State Department.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible sale to the Government of Ukraine of equipment to support the upgrade of the Patriot air defense system and related equipment for an estimated cost of 105 million dollars. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale,” the statement reads.
The release notes that the government of Ukraine requested the purchase of goods and services related to the technical support of Patriot air defense systems.
“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 stability and economic progress in Europe,” the State Department said.
The Department added that this potential deal “will improve Ukraine’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing it with additional equipment to carry out self-defense and regional security missions with more reliable local maintenance capabilities. Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.”
The State Department also stressed that this potential sale will not have any adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness.
On October 20, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was preparing a contract with an American manufacturer to purchase 25 Patriot systems.
On November 2, Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine had received additional Patriot air defense systems and thanked Germany for fulfilling its commitments.
He later clarified that Germany had transferred two Patriot systems to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine wants to order 27 Patriot air defense systems from U.S. manufacturers.
Read also: Trump sends Pentagon representatives to Ukraine as part of peace talks effort – WSJ
