United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the federal executive department responsible for U.S. national security policy and the armed forces. It is headed by the Secretary of Defense, a cabinet-level official, and is headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The department oversees the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, and coordinates military operations and defense procurement worldwide. It is the largest employer in the United States and one of the largest government organizations in the world.
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At virtual Ramstein meeting, Germany announces Patriot interceptors and 'City Dome' shield for Ukraine
At the 36th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on 8 September, held virtually, Germany announced the urgent transfer of PAC-2 Patriot interceptors and additional AIM-9 missiles from Bundeswehr stocks, launched the 'City Dome' project to shield Ukrainian cities from drone and missile strikes, and committed to financing tens of thousands of long-range artillery shells. The UK pledged £100 million through PURL for air defense, the EU approved financing for 3.2 billion euros of Patriot missiles, and Ukraine outlined plans to contract around 1,000 Patriot missiles and several thousand additional IRIS-T missiles with partner support. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said civilian deaths in Ukraine are at their highest since May 2022 and warned that delays cost lives.