The US government has awarded a $4.76 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to manufacture and supply new PAC-3 interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
This was reported by Reuters, citing a statement from Lockheed Martin.
The contract is an extension of a framework contract announced by the Pentagon in January. It will upgrade and expand the company's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3 MSE) missiles, which are used by the United States and its allies against Iranian missiles and drones.
Even after the start of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that in just a few days of hostilities in the Middle East, 800 PAC-3 missiles, which are used in American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, were used, and Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of these.
According to him, Kyiv wants Middle Eastern states to help with air defense missiles in exchange for the experience of Ukrainian experts and the sale of interceptor drones.
PAC-3 is a Patriot air defense interceptor designed to not just shoot down a target, but destroy it with a direct hit. It differs from older versions in that it does not explode near the target, but crashes into it at speed.