The announcement came in a joint press statement released following a call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Joe Biden on Jan. 5. 

The possibility of Iranian missile transfers to Russia creates a race against time for Ukraine’s air defense.

The latest drawdown package raises the overall assistance to Ukraine from the U.S. government to $21.3 billion since Russia invaded its neighbor.

The war in Ukraine has highlighted shortfalls in the stockpile and industrial base for missiles, with both sides expending thousands of missiles so far.

A far more powerful alternative is already close to moving into development, with a competition expected to be decided within days or weeks. 

Thirty members of a secretive Russian military unit that programs the flightpaths of cruise missiles targeting Ukraine have been sanctioned.

Pyongyang claims to have successfully tested a large solid-fuel engine, which could be used to power an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The deal adds one of the U.S. government’s most important propulsion, space and missile system suppliers to industry’s self-titled trusted disruptor.