Poland offers to host Patriot system production for Ukraine after US license secured

Poland has offered to host the production of U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, suggesting a manufacturing site on Polish territory as a safer alternative to Ukraine. The proposal comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on September 25 that U.S. President Donald Trump had granted Kyiv permission to produce its own Patriot air defense missiles.

Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka stated that if a factory is planned for Ukraine, Poland proposes building it within its borders, in what she termed 'safe territory.' This initiative addresses Ukraine's urgent need for air defense munitions, particularly the Patriot systems, which are crucial for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles that have been targeting Ukrainian cities.

During recent overnight strikes, Russian forces killed 14 Ukrainians on September 26-27. Earlier, on September 24, Zelensky had indicated a significant deal for a new batch of Patriot missiles was struck at the U.N. General Assembly, though the source of the missiles was not disclosed.

The Polish offer aligns with Warsaw's broader efforts to strengthen U.S. military cooperation amidst escalating risks from Russia. Sobkowiak-Czarnecka also mentioned that Polish lawmakers are working to expedite the construction of a new U.S. military base in western Poland, which is planned to accommodate at least 5,000 U.S. troops and their families. U.S. officials are expected to decide on the base's location by December.