US approves Patriot sale to Poland

The US State Department approved a potential $10.5 billion sale of Raytheon Patriot missile defense system to Poland. The proposed deal includes 208 missiles, 16 launching stations, four radars, four control stations, software and other assets. According to both sides, the final price could be lower than the negotiated $10.5 billion amount. “We will work closely with the US and Polish governments to ensure Poland is able to procure Patriot at a mutually agreeable price,” Raytheon representative said, while Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz added that he has “good track record” in negotiating similar deals. The sale will be split into two phases and needs to be approved by the US Congress because it involves advanced technology. However, with Pentagon approval, it is usually a formality. The deliveries of the first phase will begin in 2022, and the systems should be operational within 12 months. Back in March Poland said it expected to sign a deal worth up to $7.6 billion with US firm Raytheon to buy eight Patriot missile defense systems by the end of the year. The negotiations between both sides started in 2015. The Patriot mobile missile defense interceptors are designed to detect, track and engage unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles and short-range or tactical ballistic missiles.