Poland is going to spend $15 billion on Patriot missile defense systems

Poland will buy advanced Patriot anti-missile defense systems worth up to $15 billion in a deal announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale includes up to 48 Patriot PAC-3 launchers and up to 644 Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles, along with radar and control components for the systems.

The agency said the State Department, which has authority over US arms export deals, had approved the sale, which will give Warsaw some of the most advanced US air defense systems.

“The proposed sale will improve Poland’s missile defense capability and contribute to Poland’s military objectives to enhance capability, while increasing interoperability with the United States and other allies,” the agency said in a statement.

Patriots are designed for use against missiles and fast aircraft.

NATO member states in Eastern Europe, such as Poland, have struggled to ramp up their defense capabilities since Russia invaded Ukraine last February.

Patriot missiles have proven highly effective in protecting Ukraine from Russian airstrikes, knocking down even Moscow’s advanced tactical and hypersonic ballistic missiles.