Official announcements from the US Department of Defense or Ukraine's Ministry of Defense

US Prioritizes Patriot, NASAMS Deliveries to Ukraine, Delays 72 PAC-3 MSE Orders

Jun 20, 2024, 02:50 PM

The United States has decided to prioritize the delivery of Patriot missiles and NASAMS to Ukraine over other countries, according to a senior White House official. This move, announced by National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, aims to address Ukraine's urgent air defense needs amid ongoing conflict with Russia. The policy will delay deliveries to countries like Switzerland, which had an order for 72 PAC-3 MSE missiles approved in November 2022. The redirected missiles, including hundreds of Patriot interceptors, are expected to start arriving in Ukraine this summer, with the policy in place for 16 months. This decision, reported by Blick and the Financial Times, underscores the Biden administration's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities during a critical period in the war.