State Department approves $2.7 billion air defense sale to Ukraine

The State Department approved a potential $2.68 billion sale of air defense equipment to Ukraine on Friday.In a congressional notification, the State Department said that it made "a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine" for buying air defense development upgrades and related equipment and services.According to the statement, the Ukrainian government requested to buy S-300 Clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, Range-Extended Air Defense Laser Guided Rocket missile systems, as well as various launchers, counter-drone radars, trailers and spare parts. "If the proposed purchase is concluded, Ukraine would finance it using a combination of European contributions and U.S. Foreign Military Financing appropriated during the prior Administration," the State Department said. The proposed sale is subject to congressional review. A Russian anti-aircraft missile launcher S-300V operates during a show at the International Military Technical Forum on August 17, 2022. Getty Images Ukraine's capital Kyiv has seen a surge in Russian attacks, which its air defences have struggled to repel due to ammunition shortages.President Trump said this month he would ...