Pentagon Greenlights Major Patriot Overhaul for Ukraine to Boost Air Defense Firepower

The US State Department has approved a potential $105 million sale to Ukraine to upgrade its Patriot air defense systems, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on November 18.

The package focuses on modernizing M901 launchers to the more advanced M903 standard—an upgrade that will enable Ukraine to integrate the latest interceptor missiles, including the PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE variants.

According to the DSCA, the upgrade will “improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats” and enhance the effectiveness of its layered air defense network. The modernization will be carried out by US defense giants RTX Corporation and Lockheed Martin, both long-time partners in the Patriot system’s development and deployment.

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The proposed deal also includes short-term deployment of US government personnel and contractors to US European Command (EUCOM) locations, where they will provide training and coordinate logistics support for the upgraded systems.

Importantly, the transition to M903 launchers will allow Ukraine greater flexibility in missile selection, enabling operators to adapt payloads depending on mission requirements—whether intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, or aerial threats.

Ukraine has already been using M903 launchers in combination with PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE interceptors, as confirmed by official imagery from the battlefield.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine would be the first country to receive the newest generation of the SAMP/T air defense system, which is still under development.

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