When will Ukraine be able to build its own Patriot system? Expert weighs in
Photo: Ukraine will be able to develop a Patriot analog in 10-20 years (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine will not be able to develop its own equivalent of the Patriot air defense system for at least another 10–20 years. However, purchasing it from other countries remains the more cost-effective option, as the system is extremely complex, stated aviation expert Valerii Romanenko in a comment to the YouTube channel of RBC-Ukraine.
He said that developing a Patriot equivalent might be possible in 10–20 years, but not within five.
"It’s an extremely complex system - top-tier global technology," Romanenko noted.
In addition, he explained that Ukraine would need satellites and radars with active phased array antennas, which are among the most advanced radio-electronic technologies.
"Unfortunately, we’ve fallen behind in this area permanently. It will still be cheaper for us to buy rather than develop our own. It's like with aircraft. We have the Antonov Design Bureau, but it’s cheaper for us to purchase Western aircraft because Antonov has produced virtually no aircraft of significance during all the years of independence," the expert said.
Patriot for Ukraine
According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the United States wants to discuss with NATO allies the possibility of providing Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems. However, so far, no country is willing to part with this kind of weaponry.
Yesterday, July 9, US President Donald Trump confirmed that Ukraine had asked Washington to supply Patriot systems. The American leader said the US would consider the request but made no concrete promises.
Earlier, media reports suggested that Trump might send Ukraine one additional Patriot system.
In addition, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, Germany is ready to purchase Patriot systems from the United States to transfer them to Ukraine.
