Politico, citing its sources, writes that Ukraine and the United States continue negotiations on supplies
What does it mean
The publication notes that Ukraine has stopped publiclyask for high-tech weapons, but this does not mean that negotiations have stopped. It's just that in recent weeks there has been a shift from loud calls for air defense and fighter supplies to quieter negotiations. According to Ukrainian government advisers, Pentagon officials and defense industry executives, both sides are discussing whether to send the requested weapons to Ukraine.
So, discussing the issue of Patriot nowis at an early stage in the US Department of Defense. The final decision will be made by US President Joe Biden. But the fact that officials are talking about such a possibility is a major shift from this spring, when they rejected the idea.
Patriot is a system designed todestruction of aircraft, ballistic or cruise missiles. In addition to the United States, 17 countries use the system, including Romania and Poland. One of the supply obstacles is the shortage of these air defense systems, because they are deployed in US allies in Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific region. However, there is a possibility that the US will sign a contract with Raytheon to build additional systems for Kyiv, rather than transferring the relatively rare Patriot systems in US arsenal.
If the US decides to go down the acquisition route,Ukrainians will not expect delivery of Patriot for many years. The timing is similar to weapons deliveries the Biden administration announced in August as part of a $3 billion package that directly funds contracts with the U.S. defense industry.
Talks about the delivery of the MQ-1C Gray droneEagle has also been underway for several months. America has several concerns, including the potential loss of technology if the Russian military shoots down the drone.