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The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $2.68 billion Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for air-defense development, modernization, related equipment and support services. The proposed package is still subject to congressional review and has not yet been finalized.
If the deal is concluded, Ukraine would finance it through a combination of European contributions and U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds allocated under the previous administration. The FMF funds would be counted as a U.S. contribution to the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund on a 1:1 reimbursement basis.
What Ukraine requested
The proposed package includes a range of equipment that the State Department says does not fall under the category of major defense equipment:
- S-300 Clone missiles;
- GAM-67 missiles;
- range-extended, laser-guided air-defense rocket systems;
- Improvised Transporter Erector Launcher 1.5 systems;
- modification kits for mobile launchers;
- RPS 202 counter-drone radars;
- trailers with erectable masts;
- spare parts, consumables and components;
- repair and return services;
- software and technical documentation;
- transportation and logistics support;
- engineering and technical services from the U.S. government and contractors.
The State Department said the proposed sale is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to counter current and future aerial threats. It also said that the agreement would require no additional U.S. government personnel or contractors to be deployed to Ukraine and would not alter the basic military balance in the region.
No Patriot systems listed
The published notification does not include Patriot air-defense systems or Patriot interceptors. The package instead focuses on developing and upgrading Ukraine’s broader air-defense capabilities, including missiles, launchers and counter-drone systems.
The main contractor for the future agreement is expected to be selected through a competitive process.
The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to seek additional air-defense capabilities amid Russia’s sustained missile and drone attacks.
