Uncle Sam pours another billion dollars into the Ukraine war

The United States transferred a total of 847 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, totaling US$3.26 billion (R$19.82 billion), according to Pentagon budget reports analyzed by Sputnik.

This expanded support follows Russia’s introduction of the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, prompting the Netherlands to bolster Kiev’s air defense with additional Patriot systems, later complemented by two more systems sent by the US.

Ukraine’s need for advanced interceptors such as the modified PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) for the full operation of air defense systems was met by a US$4.5 billion (R$27.36 billion) contract signed between the US Army and Lockheed Martin, highlighting the gravity and scale of US military support.

The details of the deployment of MSE missiles, part of a “secret program”, were not publicly disclosed. However, budget reports released from January 2023, following the delivery of the first Patriot system to Ukraine, reveal that US$956 million (R$5.8 billion) was allocated for the purchase of missiles under this confidential program.

Subsequent analysis shows that an equal amount was added in April 2023 to the US Army budget to replenish stocks of MSE missiles, suggesting that these missiles were sent to Ukraine.

Further, the MSE missile acquisition budget for 2023 was increased from US$1.037 billion (R$6.3 billion) to US$2.47 billion (R$15.02 billion), allowing the purchase of 375 missiles.

In 2024, the budget grew to US$3.03 billion (R$18.42 billion), enabling the acquisition of 472 missiles of this modification. This significant expansion in acquisition plans comes in contrast to the 252 missiles initially planned for 2023 and 230 for 2024.

In addition to the missiles, the US Army has ordered 3,376 MSE missiles to fully equip its units.

Around US$200 million (R$1.21 billion) was also designated in 2023 to replace radars, launchers and other components of the Patriot systems, which were also sent to Ukraine, reaffirming the US commitment to strengthening Ukrainian defensive capabilities in the face of emerging threats.