Ukraine in talks with RTX to accelerate Patriot missile supplies

During a meeting between Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Boiev and an RTX delegation led by Raytheon’s executive director in Ukraine, Jennifer Pueschner, the sides discussed maximizing the pace of Patriot missile deliveries.

To speed up supplies, Ukraine plans to use direct contracts as well as international support mechanisms. Raytheon representatives confirmed their readiness to work on accelerating deliveries.

According to the Defense Ministry, air defense systems are critically important for protecting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, especially amid Russia’s large-scale missile attacks.

During one of the most recent strikes, Russia used a record number of ballistic missiles, once again causing damage to energy facilities. Patriot systems are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

In addition to missile deliveries, the sides discussed the maintenance and support of existing air and missile defense systems, as well as the possibility of deeper industrial cooperation. The Defense Ministry is interested in establishing a repair and maintenance base in Ukraine for Western-supplied weapons.

Currently, about 75% of Patriot missiles received by Ukraine are supplied through the PURL program from US factories and funded by European partners. For other air defense systems, the share is even higher, with nearly 90% of interceptors delivered through the same mechanism.

In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump agreed on supplying Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The issue was discussed during their meeting at the Davos forum, where Zelenskyy said he had secured an agreement on deliveries of PAC-3 ballistic missile interceptors.