The State Department authorized the deal to support Kyiv’s missile capabilities as Russia intensifies its aerial bombardment of critical infrastructure.
WASHINGTON — The United States Department of State has approved the sale of equipment and maintenance services related to Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine for an estimated cost of $105 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the authorization on Tuesday, following a formal request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government amid persistent Russian air attacks.
The package includes spare parts, logistical services, technical support, training, and the modernization of Patriot launchers from the M901 model to the M903, as well as other critical equipment and ground support elements.
The principal contractors involved in the transaction will be RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia, and Lockheed Martin, located in Bethesda, Maryland. No industrial offset agreements linked to the operation have been announced, though these would be defined in future negotiations between Ukraine and the contractors.
The State Department stated that “this proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
Furthermore, the U.S. government maintained that the initiative “will improve Ukraine’s ability to meet current and future threats” by providing tools for self-defense operations and greater autonomy in the local maintenance of its defense systems.
The move is part of a broader strategy to bolster Ukrainian defensive capabilities against bombardments and missiles launched at cities and infrastructure by Russian forces. Since the invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has received various batches of weaponry and military technology from the United States and European allies.
The agreement contemplates that up to five U.S. officials and fifteen representatives from the assigned contractors will travel to Europe for training tasks, technical support, and periodic meetings for an estimated period of one month. According to the DSCA, this temporary deployment will not affect U.S. defense readiness in other theaters of operation.
The government underscored that the transaction will not alter the basic military balance in the region, as Patriot systems have been used by the Ukrainian armed forces since 2023 to intercept missiles and protect critical urban zones.
President Zelenskyy has reiterated on multiple occasions his demand for assistance to replenish and maintain Patriot systems, considered crucial for air defense following Russian bombardments against civilian and military infrastructure.
During his last visit to Washington in October, Zelenskyy requested the additional purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles, but the Trump administration abstained from authorizing that request, focusing support instead on components and maintenance.
The State Department remarked that Ukraine will have no difficulty integrating the acquired articles and services into its current military structure. The statement sent to Congress noted that the recipient country has already successfully absorbed previous transfers of U.S. technology and has personnel trained for Patriot operations and reviews.
President Donald Trump, in his last public announcement on the matter, nuanced that new defensive systems would be largely paid for by European countries, within a burden-sharing scheme among international partners.
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