The United States approved a $5 billion sale of up to 600 Patriot missiles and accompanying equipment to Germany, which has already provided many advanced air defense systems to Ukraine.
The proposed sale of the PAC-3 MSE missiles “will support the United States’ foreign policy and national security by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
It “will boost Germany’s ability to meet existing and future threats, as well as increase the military’s defensive capabilities. It will help Germany achieve its goal of boosting national and territorial defense, as well as interoperability with US and NATO forces,” the statement continued.
The State Department cleared the probable sale of missiles to Germany, and the DSCA notified Congress on Thursday, which still needs to approve the transaction.
Germany has provided four Patriot systems to Ukraine, which has endured repeated Russian missile barrages and drone attacks on its infrastructure, putting it in severe need of more air defenses.
Following the commencement of the Ukraine war in 2022, Berlin abandoned its usually pacifist position and became Kyiv’s second-largest source of military aid, after Washington.