Ukraine eyes unprecedented purchasing Patriot PAC-3 interceptors on its own
Photo: Mykhailo Fedorov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is working on direct contracts to procure anti-ballistic missiles, which it has never done before. In addition, work is underway to develop its own version, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
"Right now, we are working to directly contract the procurement of PAC-3, which has never happened before. And I am confident we will manage to do this in the near future," he says.
Fedorov notes that Kyiv continues to receive missiles from its American partners, but they are not sufficient to fully equip Ukraine’s air defense system.
At the same time, the Minister emphasizes that Ukraine "has a concrete plan on how to attract additional missiles and fight for every single missile," as well as "some non-obvious solutions."
He reports that, thanks to Germany, a major contract has been signed for hundreds of PAC-2 GEM-T (Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical) missiles, as well as PAC-3 anti-ballistic missiles. Their delivery will begin next year.
Weapons on loan
"We want to borrow these missiles from some countries right now, so to speak, in order to return them later," Fedorov notes.
He explains that European partners had previously provided several dozen missiles, which helped repel attacks in February and March. At the same time, Ukraine plans to obtain more missiles through direct contracts.
According to the Defense Minister, a specific plan has been developed to ensure air defense. Work is proceeding in two directions:
Maximizing the collection and procurement of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles from foreign stockpiles;
Developing Ukraine’s own anti-ballistic missile.
Fedorov notes that specific figures and development details are not being disclosed so as not to provide Russia with additional information. At the same time, he emphasizes that the President of Ukraine is fully involved in this process.
Recently, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a critical shortage of missiles for the Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T systems. In some units, ammunition stocks are nearly depleted.
At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv had reached a political agreement on the purchase of additional Patriot systems, but its implementation was being delayed due to the need to resolve financial, legal, and technical issues.
