Zelenskyy highlights Patriot missile shortage, unveils proposed solution
Kyiv seeks Patriot production licenses from Washington (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The United States produces only 60–65 anti-ballistic missiles per month — a volume insufficient even for current security challenges, while Russia continues to expand its own ballistic missile production, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The head of state stressed that the current pace of anti-ballistic missile production in the United States could lead to security challenges in multiple regions around the world.
"Sixty to sixty-five anti-ballistic missiles per month is nothing compared to today's threats. This is no secret, and Russia knows it. We need to expand production," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, he asked the previous US administration and now makes the same request to the current one — to grant Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles. Kyiv is ready to ramp up production on its own.
"We can increase Patriot missile production. It would help us. It would help the Middle East and any other country that the United States decides to support," the president said.
Zelenskyy added that until Europe develops its own anti-ballistic missile defense system, Ukraine will continue to need US support.
Notably, in late May 2026, the United States granted Poland preliminary approval to localize Patriot missile production. The move came as Ukraine has long sought a similar license but has yet to make significant progress.
At the time, Zelenskyy also said that the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran had contributed to a global shortage of anti-ballistic defense systems.
Earlier, in July 2025, the Pentagon quadrupled its procurement of Patriot missiles, allocating more than $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2026. However, experts warned that a large-scale expansion of production capacity would not happen overnight.
Ukraine has previously offered to purchase 10 Patriot systems from the United States and has also sought production licenses to strengthen its own air defenses.
