Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Thursday that his government is working to finalize the necessary technical details with the United States to enable the production of Patriot air-defense missiles within Ukraine. This development follows a statement from US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, who announced that Washington would grant Kyiv the authority to manufacture the long-range interceptors.
During a WhatsApp briefing with journalists, Zelenskyy emphasized that while the agreement with the US president has been established, the respective teams must now align on all remaining technical aspects. He noted that Ukraine is simultaneously collaborating with European partners to secure additional missiles, as the country does not yet possess its own domestic system.
President Trump, speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, indicated that the US would provide the necessary guidance to Kyiv. Describing the Patriot system as highly complex, Trump expressed confidence that Ukrainian teams would quickly master the manufacturing process. He suggested that licensed production would help address criticism regarding the supply of high-end air defense systems, telling officials that they could now produce the technology themselves rather than relying solely on US deliveries. Trump also acknowledged that the relevant US manufacturer had not yet been formally notified of the plan, though he expressed certainty that the decision would be implemented successfully.
The move comes as Kyiv has spent over six months requesting a license to produce Patriot interceptors. The US-made Patriot system remains Ukraine’s only effective defence against ballistic missiles, but officials say supplies of interceptors have fallen critically low. The global stockpile has been significantly impacted by the US and Israel’s war on Iran, which has depleted nearly one-third of available interceptors, with Gulf states reportedly firing over 1,100 units in recent months.
According to Zelenskyy, current production at Lockheed Martin stands at approximately 600 interceptors annually, or about 60 to 65 units per month. These figures contrast with the challenges faced by Ukraine, where officials report that Russia is producing roughly 120 ballistic missiles monthly. Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukraine’s energy grid and cities, recently launching as many as 30 ballistic missiles in a single night to exploit perceived gaps in the nation’s air defense coverage.
