The USA has agreed to sell 600 Patriot air defense missiles to Germany, the Pentagon announced on Thursday night.

The cost of the deal is estimated at five billion dollars (4.6 billion euros).

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by enhancing the security of a NATO ally that is a key force for political and economic stability in Europe,” the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

“It will support Germany’s goal of improving national and territorial defense and interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.”

The State Department has approved the sale, but Congress must still approve the deal.

What is the Patriot air defense system?

The Patriot air defense system can combat enemy aircraft and missiles at a distance of up to 100 kilometers and at an altitude of up to 30 kilometers.

During the Cold War, Germany possessed no fewer than 36 of these systems, but this number decreased in the following years.

Berlin donated three systems to Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

The German defense forces now only have nine Patriot systems.

Other European countries such as Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden also have Patriot systems.

zc/lo (dpa, AFP, Reuters)