Ukraine to get licence to produce Patriot missiles, Trump says
US President Donald Trump has offered Ukraine the right to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, a move that could significantly strengthen Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s escalating ballistic missile attacks.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Nato summit in Ankara on Wednesday, Trump announced: “We are gonna give you a licence to make Patriots. I think they can produce them very quickly once we explain it.”
The US president acknowledged that he had not yet informed defence manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Raytheon about the decision but added: “That’ll work out alright.”
Patriots crucial to Ukraine’s defence
Patriot missile systems are regarded as some of the world’s most advanced air defence systems, capable of detecting and intercepting incoming missiles. However, they are also among the most expensive, with a single battery and its missiles estimated to cost around $1 billion (£740 million).
Production is also limited, with the US Department of Defence producing only about 600 Patriot missiles annually.
The United States has been reluctant to supply large numbers of Patriots to Ukraine, particularly after reportedly using more than half of its stockpile during its conflict with Iran earlier this year.
“We have Patriots, but we don’t have that many. We need them for ourselves too,” Trump said.
Ukraine urgently needs more interceptors
Ukraine has repeatedly appealed for additional Patriot systems as Russia intensifies its ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Although the war has largely reached a stalemate on the front lines and Ukraine has become increasingly effective at countering Russian drone attacks, ballistic missiles remain one of Moscow’s most dangerous weapons.
President Zelensky has previously described ballistic missiles as Russia’s “last major advantage” because of their speed and steep trajectory, making them extremely difficult to intercept.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s Air Force said a “serious shortage” of interceptor missiles meant that none of the 23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia during a recent attack were successfully shot down. More than 20 people were killed.
Trump said granting Ukraine a production licence would ensure Kyiv could no longer “complain that we’re not giving them enough.”
Experts remain sceptical
Despite the announcement, some experts in Kyiv questioned whether Patriot missiles could realistically be manufactured inside Ukraine while the country remains at war.
Military analyst and former security service officer Ivan Stupak said the sophisticated technology involved makes domestic production unlikely.
“Unfortunately, Ukraine is not able to produce such kinds of advanced munition because it’s really sophisticated, cutting-edge equipment,” he said.
Stupak suggested that production could instead take place elsewhere in Europe under supervision, adding that the process could take many months.
“It’s a matter of security. We have no safe place on the entire Ukrainian territory,” he explained.
Long-range strikes and peace talks
During the summit, Trump also acknowledged Ukraine’s recent success in carrying out long-range attacks on Russian territory.
“It’s an escalation, but it’s also an escalation that can help lead to an end,” he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries were intended to demonstrate Moscow’s vulnerabilities and encourage the Kremlin to seek an end to the conflict.
Trump again claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to negotiate an end to the war and suggested that direct talks between Putin and Zelensky remain possible.
When asked whether he would be willing to travel to Moscow for talks, Zelensky jokingly replied: “It’s difficult – there are a lot of Ukrainian drones there,” referencing Ukraine’s increasing number of long-range strikes inside Russia.
