US approves possible $2.7 billion sale to support Ukraine's air defense

The U.S. State Department announced on September 18 its approval of a potential $2.7 billion sale of air defense systems and related equipment to Ukraine. The package includes S-300 Clone and GAM-67 missiles, radar systems to counter drones, range-extended laser-guided air defense systems, counter-drone radars, and mobile launcher modification kits.

All these items were requested by Kyiv. The recent escalation in Russia's bombardment tactics, now including multiple drone attacks per hour and targeting civilian infrastructure, has prompted the decision. Ukraine will cover the cost of this deal using European contributions and U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds allocated during the previous administration.

This proposed sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests by bolstering the security of a strategic partner that promotes political and economic progress in Europe. In addition, Ukraine faces a dire shortage of Patriot air defense munitions, the only weapons deemed reliable against Russian ballistic missiles.

The U.S. is reportedly ready to transfer 10 Patriot interceptor missiles from Germany to Ukraine. However, the availability of these missiles has been hampered by the diversion of U.S. resources to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.