Spain will spend $2.8bn to buy four divisions of Patriot systems with 24 M903 launchers, 51 PAC-3 MSE missile interceptors and 4 AN/MPQ-65 radars

Spain intends to purchase four divisions of Patriot Configuration-3+ missile defence systems at once. The potential deal was approved by the US State Department.

Here's What We Know

The European country is ready to spend $2.8bn to buy four Patriot Configuration-3+ divisions. Once the potential sale is approved, the deal will be reviewed by the US Congress within a month.

The four divisions of Patriot Configuration-3+ surface-to-air missile systems include 24 Patriot M903 launchers, four AN/MPQ-65 radars, four AN/MSQ-132 control sites, two information and coordination centres, as well as four power plants and four power units. In addition, the agreement calls for the purchase of 51 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missile interceptors.

The PAC-3 MSE is the most advanced version of the Patriot air defence missile system. Ukraine has demonstrated that it can shoot down ballistic missiles that fall on target at speeds of several thousand kilometres per hour. Patriot systems deployed in Ukraine have been able to intercept about a dozen Kh-47M2 pseudo-hypersonic missiles this year.

Source: DSCA