US approves $2.1bn sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The US State Department has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine for $2.1bn, funded entirely by European allies and Canada. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision on Friday but warned deliveries could take “several years”, with the order covering new-build missiles rather than existing stock.

Who is paying for the Patriot missiles?

The State Department said the interceptors would cost $2.1bn (£1.6bn) and would be “funded entirely” by Kyiv’s allies. Ukraine will pay with donations from Canada, Germany and Norway through the JUMPSTART programme and with national funds financed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan, the department said. US company Lockheed Martin is named as principal contractor, and the statement said “no US funds are involved in this sale”.

When will the missiles reach Ukraine?

Zelensky said earlier in the week that Ukraine had waited almost a month for Washington to sign off on the missile supplies. In a post on X late on Friday he welcomed the announcement but said Ukraine needed the Patriots “right now”. No production schedule has been published, and Zelensky has warned that deliveries could take “several years”.

Why does Ukraine want the interceptors now?

Zelensky said Russia had carried out “more than 30 Russian strikes” on “critical parts” of Ukraine’s power grid over the past two weeks, as Moscow intensified attacks on energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Kyiv is running low on interceptors, and there is a global shortage of the munitions, in part because of their use by the US in its war against Iran.

How did the sale follow the Zelensky-Trump rift?

Earlier in October, Zelensky and US President Donald Trump clashed after Washington eased sanctions on Russia as part of a deal to secure Russian diesel. Trump said it was time for Ukraine to get a new leader to strike a deal to end the war with Russia. Tensions eased after Zelensky held talks with US envoys in Oslo on 20 October.

What happened at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting?

At the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, European diplomats refused to stand for an official photograph in protest at the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Lavrov: “We all know who the aggressor in this war is”, accusing Russia’s government of killing innocent civilians in Ukraine.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the US sale of Patriot missiles to Ukraine worth?

The US State Department put the price of the 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles at $2.1bn, or about £1.6bn. It said the purchase would be funded entirely by Ukraine’s allies rather than by US funds.

When will Ukraine receive the 500 Patriot missiles?

No production schedule has been announced. The order covers new-build missiles rather than existing stock, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned deliveries could take “several years”.

Who is paying for Ukraine’s Patriot missiles?

According to the US State Department, Ukraine will pay with donations from Canada, Germany and Norway through the JUMPSTART programme, plus national funds financed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan.

How many Patriot missiles are produced each year?

About 600 missiles are produced per year, according to the US Department of Defense, which is one reason rapid delivery to Ukraine is unlikely.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)