The State Department announced it authorized selling $15 billion in advanced air defense systems to Poland. The deal comes as Washington wants to increase NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe.
A press release distributed by the State Department on Wednesday says, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
US and NATO leaders argue the alliance must build up its military presence in countries that border Russia to deter President Vladimir Putin’s desire to expand his nation’s border. However, Moscow has not indicated it plans to expand its border beyond eastern Ukraine, where the Russian military has struggled to secure territory annexed by the Kremlin.
The sale is for an estimated $15 billion in Patriot air defense systems, radars, and communications equipment. The primary contractors are Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Raytheon has been accused of price gouging the Pentagon for Patriot intercepts. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was a board member at the arms manufacturer before becoming the Pentagon chief.
After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Washington and Brussels demanded NATO members increase military spending. The increase in defense budgets has been a boon to the weapons industry in the US.
