UA May Buy Air Defense Systems From US

Photo Ukrinform/UATV

Ukraine has filed a request to the United States to purchase a $750 million air defense unit. Ukraine needs units for three Ukrainian military complexes and is considering buying from the US, Ukrainian Ambassador Valery Chaly said.

“Our needs of the next period, in my opinion, are the maritime-space, military-airspace, this is something without which we simply cannot ensure the defense of the country,” Chaly told Novoye Vremya.

The ambassador also said that Ukraine needs drone, counterbattery radar and counter-sniper systems.

According to him, the relevant request was voiced at the “highest level” – at the meetings of the presidents of Ukraine and the United States in Brussels and the meetings of the Ukrainian side with U.S. President Donald Trump’s adviser on national security John Bolton.

At the beginning of this month, the U.S. passed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, which provides $250 million for Ukrainian defense, including $50 million for lethal weapons. Trade turnover between Ukraine and the United States has grown 70 percent in the past year.