US State Department approves major sale of Patriot missiles to Germany

The US State Department has officially approved a significant arms deal with Germany, authorizing the sale of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs) and related equipment. 

According to sources from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency — a branch of the Pentagon responsible for overseeing foreign military sales — Germany has formally requested the purchase of up to 600 Patriot missiles, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This acquisition will accompany a comprehensive package that includes essential support services. The package encompasses not only the missiles themselves but also related equipment, extensive training programs for German military personnel, spare parts, and maintenance services to ensure the operational readiness of the Patriot systems.

The Pentagon has expressed strong support for this sale, emphasizing its importance in advancing U.S. foreign policy interests.

Germany has significantly bolstered its Patriot air and missile defence capabilities this year, particularly as it supports Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. In a notable show of commitment, Germany has dispatched both Patriot batteries and interceptors to Ukraine, enhancing the country's defence against the Russian invasion.

In March, Germany made a substantial investment by ordering $1.2 billion worth of Patriot systems from Raytheon, a manufacturer known for its advanced defence technology. This was followed by another $1.2 billion order in July for additional system components. Together, these contracts will see Raytheon, an RTX company, deliver eight fully operational Patriot fire units to Germany.

In addition to these orders, Raytheon secured a $478 million contract from NATO earlier this month to replenish the Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile, or GEM-T, which Germany had provided to Ukraine. This contract is part of a broader initiative involving a coalition of countries, including Ukraine, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany. These nations have collectively agreed to fund the procurement of GEM-T missiles, with a joint order of up to 1,000 missiles under a $5.5 billion contract. The production and delivery of these missiles will be managed by a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, reflecting a coordinated effort to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities and ensure the availability of critical missile systems in the region.