US announces additional Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of $6 billion aid package

Defense Secretary Austin announced the US will provide Ukraine additional Patriot missiles (Image: Getty)

The United States will provide Ukraine an additional security assistance package for Ukraine totaling up to $6 billion to tackle the two-year-long war with Russia, according to the Department Defense.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday the aid package will "underscore America's commitment to Ukraine," adding that it "will allow us to procure new capabilties from Ukraine's industry."

“This coalition stands together and we will not falter, we will not flitch and we will not fail” to stave off Russian aggression, Austin said at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.

One of the provisions in the aid package include additional Patroit missiles for its air defense systems.

READ MORE: Ukraine forced to withdraw US tanks as Russia destroys five Abrams in battle

Zelenskyy said Patriot systems are needed as an air shield against Russian missiles (Image: Getty)

The missiles will be used to replenish previously supplied Patriot air defense systems and are part of a package that also includes more munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and additional gear to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles and radars into Ukraine’s existing weaponry, much of which still dates back to the Soviet era.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the need for Patriots early Friday at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries with more than two-thirds of them NATO member states.

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group held virtually in a Pentagon-led meeting on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the group since Russia's invasion on Ukraine in February 2022.

The first meeting was previously held in Ramstein, Germany, which Austin has “moved heaven and earth” to source millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket systems, armored vehicles and even jets to help Ukraine withstand Russia’s invasion.

Zelenskyy said Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian missile attacks.

“We urgently need Patriot systems and missiles for them,” Zelenskyy said. “This is what can and should save lives right now.”

At a Pentagon press conference following the meeting, Austin said the U.S. was continuing to work with allies to resource additional Patriot systems but did not commit to sending more U.S. versions.

“It’s not just Patriot that they need, they need other types of systems and interceptors as well,” Austin said. “I would caution us all in terms of making Patriot the silver bullet.”

The announcement comes after $95 billion aid bill, including $61 billion in funding for Ukraine, was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.