US approves $2.1 billion Patriot missile sale to Ukraine

Delayed missile deliveries added to Ukraine's tensions with the US after ​President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia and ⁠criticised Zelenskiy for Ukraine's unwillingness to stop attacks on Russian refineries.

President Volodymyr ​Zelenskiy said earlier this week that Ukraine had been waiting for almost a month ​for the US to sign off on critical missile supplies, as Russia stepped up attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure.

The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly called on the US, which ​supplies missiles purchased by NATO allies under a program known as PURL, ​to speed up deliveries ahead of winter. Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab is the principal contractor for the ‌sale.

The US ⁠has supplied large quantities of weapons to allies while also using munitions in its own military operations in Iran, raising concerns about inventories of key air defense and precision-guided weapons. In July, the US Army awarded Lockheed a contract ​worth up to $58.6 ​billion to produce ⁠Patriot interceptor missiles.

Lockheed has said that deal would allow it to follow through on a promise to triple PAC-3 ​MSE production capacity by the end of 2030 and increase jobs ​at ⁠its Camden, Arkansas, plant by 50%, to about 1,850 from 1,200. Lockheed previously announced Patriot PAC-3 missile interceptor production would go to 2,000 units annually.

Pentagon negotiators ⁠are pressing ​contractors to move much faster, with tentative ​production agreements struck earlier this year at the center of efforts to increase missile output.