Ukraine may secure license to produce Patriot interceptors, Foreign Minister says
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is negotiating with international partners to obtain licenses to manufacture Patriot anti-ballistic systems, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
Sybiha states that the issue of licenses is already on the agenda for negotiations with international partners.
According to him, this will be one of the most effective ways to build up Ukraine’s anti-ballistic capabilities rapidly.
"We can very quickly implement, produce, and deploy these technologies, and even improve upon them, particularly those shared by our partners," the Minister says.
He adds that anti-ballistic weapons and equipment are the top priority. At the same time, licenses in other areas are also being considered, since everything must contribute to defense.
Sybiha also notes that Ukraine is working to strengthen its anti-ballistic defense in several areas simultaneously.
According to him, there are some countries, particularly in Europe, that have anti-ballistic missiles in their arsenals.
The Foreign Minister of Ukraine explains that Ukraine is working with each country through various channels and in different formats. Kyiv also understands the geography of countries outside Europe with which it needs to intensify dialogue to secure the necessary decisions.
Sybiha notes that Ukraine has countries acting as lobbyists that help it engage with third countries. In essence, these are support and advocacy groups aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s anti-ballistic capabilities.
"I am convinced that these solutions will be found," the Minister emphasizes.
A separate area of focus is building up Ukraine’s own capabilities.
According to Sybiha, the President of Ukraine has already held talks with the leaders of countries that could accelerate or provide the necessary elements to finalize the process of establishing an air defense system with anti-ballistic capabilities in Ukraine.
Ukraine is in critical need of anti-ballistic capabilities
To defend against Russian aggression, Ukraine lacks air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Ukraine is currently urgently requesting Patriot missiles from 40 countries. The missiles are being requested in exchange for future deliveries already contracted for Ukraine.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a critical shortage of missiles for the Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T air defense systems. In some units, ammunition stocks are nearly depleted.
Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, also stated that Ukraine had no missiles capable of intercepting Russian ballistic targets.
He also explained that countries sharing a border with Russia themselves assess the threat from Russia as high and are therefore unwilling to transfer their own stocks of such munitions to Ukraine. Among them is Germany, in particular.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that during his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the summit in Türkiye, one of the main issues would be strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, specifically the acquisition of Patriot air defense systems.
Norway will also allocate approximately 268 million euros to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. The funds will be directed, in particular, toward the purchase of missiles for the Patriot systems.
Ukraine and Germany are developing a joint air defense system to protect the entire European continent. The project will enable the interception of ballistic missiles, a capability that European countries currently lack.
