Why Patriot makers fear Ukrainian production? The Atlantic reveals key concern
The official reasons differ from the real one (photo: Getty Images)
American Patriot manufacturers do not want to grant Ukraine licenses to produce interceptor missiles. They fear that Kyiv could produce them faster and more cheaply, according to The Atlantic.
According to the media outlet, a Republican official on Capitol Hill who supports transferring the licenses explained the real reason for the delay on this issue.
On August 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that the main reason for the delay at this point is bureaucracy and "paperwork."
Meanwhile, a source told The Atlantic that the US companies Raytheon and Lockheed, which manufacture Patriot systems, "will officially frame their concerns around IP theft and tech transfer."
However, the official added that the real reason lies in the companies' concerns that Ukraine could find a way to improve the Patriot system, then establish mass production and manufacture missiles significantly faster and more cheaply than the United States.
What preceded this
US President Donald Trump recently hinted that Ukraine could be granted licenses to produce PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
However, media reports soon emerged that Trump was already having doubts about this. A little later, he publicly stated that the transfer might not happen at all.
In addition, journalists recently noted that Ukraine needs missiles for Patriot systems and asked Trump whether the United States would provide Kyiv with another batch of aid. In response, he said that America also needs these missiles.
