The US State Department has approved a potential $2.68-billion Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine covering a new air-defense upgrade package that includes the previously undisclosed S-300 Clone missile. The proposed assistance comes as Ukraine continues to face Russian missile attacks and shortages of key interceptors, including Patriot missiles. The package would include S-300 Clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, Range-Extended Air Defense Laser-Guided Rocket missile systems, Improvised Transporter Erector Launcher 1.5 systems, modification kits for mobile launchers, RPS 202 counter-UAS radars, and erectable mast trailers. It would also provide maintenance and major modification work, spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair-and-return services, software, transportation, and US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support. According to the State Department, the proposed sale would strengthen Ukraine’s ability to respond to both existing and emerging threats by improving its air-defense capacity. No contract has been issued so far because contractors would be selected through a competitive process. Technical information on the S-300 Clone, GAM-67, and Range-Extended Air-Defense Laser-Guided Rocket systems has not been publicly released by the State Department. Retired Colonel Robert Hamilton of the Delphi Global Research Center told CBS News that the United States and Ukraine may be upgrading existing S-300 missiles or developing an improved variant. He said the weapons could become available by the end of the year, with potential annual output of 100–200 missiles. Defense Express has described the S-300 Clone as a newly developed interceptor with improved performance and a modern guidance system rather than a direct copy of the Soviet-era 5V55 missile. The GAM-67 name was historically associated with a US anti-radar missile project from the 1950s that never entered service. The designation is now reportedly linked to a new medium-range air-defense weapon intended for both Soviet-origin systems and newer platforms.
