The State Department approved two foreign military sales to Ukraine totaling $329 million. The Trump administration did not disclose how the deals will be funded.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the State Department approved the sale of spare parts and upgrades to Ukraine’s Patriot Missile Defense Systems. Raytheon, or RTX, will be the primary contractor on the $179 million deal.
Additionally, the US authorized an additional $150 million in Starlink services for the Ukrainian military. The primary contractor, SpaceX, is owned by Elon Musk, a Trump donor-turned-rival.
The Starlink communication services and the defense provided by Patriot systems have been key to the Ukrainian military’s success.
The sales follow the announcement that the US would send Ukraine thousands of cruise missiles. The 3,350 ERAM missiles will be funded by the US and several European nations. The US support will come through Foreign Military Financing.
With a range of up to 280 miles, the ERAMs will be the longest-range weapon the US has provided to Ukraine. The transfer could suggest that Kiev will attempt another offensive in the future. President Donald Trump recently criticized Ukraine for only engaging in defensive tactics, comparing the war to a sports game.
