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Ukraine Pitches Strategic Defense Partnership to Patriot Maker Raytheon

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Ukraine Pitches Strategic Defense Partnership to Patriot Maker Raytheon
German Bundeswehr Armed Forces fire a Patriot missile during the Operation Red Arrow exercise on October 15, 2008, in Crete, Greece. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukraine is offering investment opportunities to Raytheon, the American defense giant behind the Patriot missile system, and is actively seeking broader cooperation with other US defense companies, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced on May 19.

The move comes as Ukraine faces an urgent need for additional Patriot air defense systems and interceptors to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with Joe DeAntona, Raytheon’s Vice President for Land and Air Defense Systems, to discuss expanding defense cooperation and the country’s pressing requirements for more Patriot systems.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (L) with Joe DeAntona, Raytheon’s Vice President for Land and Air Defense Systems during a meeting on May 19, 2025, in Ukraine. (Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense)
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (L) with Joe DeAntona, Raytheon’s Vice President for Land and Air Defense Systems during a meeting on May 19, 2025, in Ukraine. (Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense)

“Our priority is protecting civilians, critical infrastructure, towns, and villages,” Umerov stated.

“We are ready to invest in this direction, because it’s about saving lives and strengthening the resilience of our state.”

The meeting also explored broader avenues for US–Ukraine cooperation in the defense industry. Umerov emphasized that deeper engagement with Raytheon is a strategic pillar of Ukraine’s long-term defense goals.

“This is one of our strategic courses,” the Minister said. “Deepening cooperation with Raytheon is a strategic component of that partnership.”

The Ukrainian delegation also reiterated its openness to joint ventures between American and Ukrainian defense firms.

According to the Ministry of Defense, domestic manufacturers are prepared to partner with US companies to streamline weapons servicing and support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, improving both the speed and quality of logistical operations.

Earlier, German defense giant Rheinmetall and US prime contractor Lockheed Martin agreed to set up a Europe-based joint venture that will build some of Washington’s most in-demand missiles.

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