U.S. approves proposed $2.1 billion Patriot sale to Ukraine

The U.S. State Department approved a proposed $2.1 billion sale of 500 Patriot air-defense interceptors to Ukraine on October 30, opening the transaction to further review but not finalizing a contract or setting a delivery date. The package covers PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors, spare parts and logistical and program support for Ukraine’s existing Patriot systems. The department’s congressional notification put the estimated value at $2.1 billion. The proposed purchase would be financed by Canada, Germany and Norway, along with funds from the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan. No U.S. government funds are involved, according to the notification. The approval begins a Foreign Military Sales process. Congress generally has 30 days to review a proposed sale to Ukraine. Further steps can include a letter of offer and acceptance and an order by the U.S. Army. The notification is not a signed contract, and it gave no schedule for production or delivery. It also did not set out the amount each named country or the EU-financed share would contribute. Lockheed Martin is identified as the principal contractor for the proposed sale. The approval does not...