US Diverts Patriot Missiles Ordered by Allies to Ukraine

  • White House says move provides Ukraine help for next 16 months
  • Shipments to other European allies could resume next year

A US Patriot air defense missile system.

Photographer: Damian Lemański/Bloomberg
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The US is halting deliveries of key air defense missiles to allies, directing shipments to Ukraine instead in a bid to help bolster the country amid the continuing aerial barrage from Russia, the White House said.

Raytheon Co.’s Patriot and NASAMS surface-to-air missiles will both be redirected to Ukraine as part of a “difficult but necessary decision” to reprioritize planned deliveries, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday.