-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine has expressed its intention to localize the production of Patriot air defense systems, a move that could significantly enhance the country’s defense capabilities.
Speaking to readers of the French newspaper Le Parisien, on December 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine has repeatedly requested licenses from the United States to manufacture the systems domestically.
“I have asked the United States many times to grant licenses for Patriot production. No one has outright refused. Nobody ever said, 'No, we won’t give it to you.' But so far, we haven’t received anything,” Zelenskyy stated.
Zelenskyy underscored the urgency of the initiative, citing persistent delays in deliveries of air defense systems from international partners. These delays have left Ukraine struggling to shield its cities and infrastructure from ongoing Russian missile strikes.
“In three years of war, we still haven’t received the quantity of air defense systems we need. I was told production capacity is limited, with other nations also in line under existing contracts. That’s why I urged: give us licenses, release the frozen Russian assets, and we will use those funds to produce air defense systems and other weapons ourselves. For now, we have to work with what we have,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
The production of Patriot systems and their interceptor missiles is a complex process requiring significant time and resources. For example, a recent German contract for four Patriot batteries foresees the first deliveries by 2027, with completion by 2029.
It remains unclear whether Zelenskyy’s request involves only the air defense systems themselves or also the interceptor missiles. The latter are in similarly high demand, with production unable to meet global requirements.
Lockheed Martin, the producer of PAC-3 MSE interceptors, manufactured approximately 500 missiles this year and aims to increase annual output to 650 by 2027. Meanwhile, Raytheon, the maker of GEM-T long-range interceptors, produces just 240 units annually.
Patriot systems, including their components, are developed by a consortium of companies, with Raytheon as the primary contractor. Manufacturing these systems in Ukraine would require a series of agreements and licenses from multiple stakeholders.
Zelenskyy framed the issue as critical not only for military operations but also for ensuring the safety of civilians and frontline personnel.
“We need to protect our skies so our soldiers don’t have to worry about their families back home,” Zelenskyy said, reiterating his call for international support in this endeavor.
Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that 25 Patriot air defense systems are needed to fully protect Ukraine’s skies from Russian aerial threats. He emphasized that while Patriot is the most critical system for addressing ballistic threats, a comprehensive air defense solution requires multiple systems working together.
