US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The US State Department approved the sale of 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine for $2.1bn, funded entirely by European allies and Canada.

The Patriot missiles will be new builds by principal contractor Lockheed Martin, with production timelines remaining unclear amid global supply shortages.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the interceptors are critically needed to defend against escalating Russian ballistic missile strikes.