Paris accelerates interceptors, Kyiv is ready to buy Patriot missiles
France will send Ukraine new interceptors and Kyiv says it is ready to buy Patriots. The US State Department also approved a 125 million dollar AIM-9X sale to Seoul.
Geopolitics··Night
Macron promised new interceptors and faster deliveries
Euronews reported that Emmanuel Macron promised Ukraine new interceptors after two waves of drones struck Kryvyi Rih. At least 16 people were killed and 130 were wounded, including 23 children. Macron said he and Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed air-defence needs and financing in a call that lasted close to two hours. Zelenskyy said they agreed to accelerate delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles, and that France was ready to grant licences for missile production. The announcement gave neither the type nor the number of interceptors.[1]
Kyiv wants to buy Patriot interceptors with its own funds
After meeting former US presidential envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv, Zelenskyy called defence against ballistic missiles his top priority for the coming winter. Kyiv Post reported that Ukraine was prepared to purchase Patriot interceptors outright. Their talks covered intensifying Russian attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets and work with European partners on an anti-ballistic shield. Kellogg, who had left his presidential envoy post, travelled from Odesa to Kyiv for a Veterans Forum. Zelenskyy thanked him for the visit and described Ukrainian soldiers as defending the Euro-Atlantic region.[2]
A 125 million dollar AIM-9X sale was approved for Seoul
The US State Department approved a government-to-government AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missile sale to South Korea worth 125 million dollars. Seoul requested 103 tactical missiles, 10 guidance units, training equipment and spare parts. Yonhap News Agency reported that the department said the package would expand the Republic of Korea's air defence, support regional deterrence and improve interoperability with US forces. The sale cannot proceed until Congress has been notified and completed its review. RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia, is the principal contractor.[3]
