WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Division has authorised the doable sale of as much as 600 Patriot air protection missiles to NATO ally Germany for an estimated price of $5 billion, the Pentagon mentioned on Thursday.
“The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats and increase the defensive capabilities of its military,” the Pentagon’s Protection Safety Cooperation Company mentioned in a press release.
Underneath new NATO protection plans, Germany might want to quadruple its air defenses to guard infrastructure and army forces within the occasion of extreme tensions or a warfare, one safety supply advised Reuters final month.
Germany had 36 Patriot air protection models, which launch missiles, when it was NATO’s frontline state through the Chilly Conflict. Immediately, German forces are right down to 9 Patriot models, after donating three to Ukraine because the Russian invasion in 2022.
The prime contractor for the doable sale, which incorporates associated gear and technical help, will likely be Lockheed Martin (NYSE:), the Pentagon company mentioned.
The company notified Congress of the doable sale on Thursday.