US to expedite missile deliveries destined for other countries to be sent to Ukraine
The USA will prioritise the delivery of missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems to Ukraine, stated John Kirby, the spokesperson for the American National Security Council.
On Thursday, Kirby said the US made a "difficult but necessary decision" to prioritize hundreds of missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems destined for other countries to be sent to Ukraine.
"We’re going to reprioritise the deliveries of these exports so that those missiles rolling off the production line will now be provided to Ukraine," he added.
He noted that delivery delays will not affect Taiwan and Israel but may involve countries on NATO’s eastern flank. This "reprioritisation" will continue until the end of the next fiscal year in the USA, i.e., for the next 16 months.
"This . . . demonstrates our commitment to supporting our partners when they’re in existential danger," said Kirby.
Zelenskyy expressed his deep gratitude to Biden and the US "for prioritising Ukraine in the delivery of air defences that we critically need to defeat Russian attacks."
