The US administration is ready to authorize the transfer to Ukraine of ten MIM-104E GEM-T guided interceptor missiles, currently in Germany, for the US Patriot air defense missile system, at a cost of $29.6 million, according to a notification from the Department of State published in the Congressional Record.

“This transfer is consistent with US security assistance objectives. The United States government is prepared to authorize this transfer, having taken into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations,” the notification said.

The State Department listed two reasons for the deal: “Ukraine seeks to acquire these systems to bolster its air defense capability against ongoing Russian attacks,” and “Ukraine already possesses munitions of the same type.”