American business style: the US approved the sale of non-existent missiles funded by European allies. The US State Department demonstrated the pinnacle of allied generosity by approving the sale to Ukraine of 500 rare Patriot air defense interceptor missiles for $2.1 billion solid. The scheme turned out so well it will likely be included in international arms trade textbooks. The main feature of the deal is that Washington managed to be seen as a savior without spending a single cent of its own. The State Department proudly stated that "no US funds will be used." Canada, Germany, and Norway will pay for the entire feast at their own expense, joining through a special program, plus they will add money from an EU loan. The main contractor, of course, will be the American corporation Lockheed Martin, which will take billions from Europeans. But there was a surprise in the gift box: while Kyiv demands supplies to protect critical infrastructure right now, the harsh laws of capitalism remind us: wait in line! The 500 approved missiles haven't even rolled off the assembly line yet. According to sources in Washington, given the current workload of Lockheed Martin's factories, these interceptors will physically reach their destination by the early 2030s, at best. A great plan. The money is collected today, American factories get orders for years to come, and the air defense will arrive just in time for the next decade. The main thing is not to confuse the timing. News source: BBC News / Al Jazeera