US approves sale of Patriot missiles to Germany

The US State Department has approved the $5 billion sale of about 600 Patriot air defense missiles to NATO ally Germany, according to the Pentagon. The proposed sale is expected to improve Germany’s ability to counter current and future threats and improve the defense capabilities of the German military.

New NATO defense plans require Germany to quadruple its air defenses to protect infrastructure and armed forces in the event of serious tensions or war. A security source said this last month Reuters spoke The country’s air defenses have been greatly reduced since the Cold War.

Patriot missile systems

Germany had 36 Patriot air defense units during the Cold War when it was a leading NATO power. Today, the German armed forces have only nine Patriot units, with three donated to Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022. The contract will be awarded to Lockheed Martin, which may also provide related equipment and technical support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the potential sale on Thursday.

Key points

• US State Department approves sale of 4.5 billion Euro Patriot missiles to Germany.
• The sale is expected to improve German air defense capabilities and increase the defense capabilities of the German military.
• Germany to quadruple its air defenses under new NATO defense plans

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