Key facts
- Ukraine and Raytheon are in discussions to jointly produce Patriot interceptor missiles.
- The potential co-production aims to bolster Ukraine's air defense against Russian missile attacks.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a Raytheon delegation in Kyiv.
- U.S. President Donald Trump had previously pledged to grant Ukraine a license for Patriot missile interceptor manufacturing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Raytheon is ready to jointly produce Patriot interceptor missiles with Ukraine, a move aimed at enhancing the country's air defense capabilities. Zelenskyy met with a Raytheon delegation in Kyiv to discuss the potential partnership.
This development follows a pledge by U.S. President Donald Trump to grant Ukraine a license for the production of Patriot interceptors. Ukraine has been seeking increased and expedited deliveries of Patriot systems to counter Russia's use of ballistic missiles. While the co-production agreement is seen as a significant step, experts caution that establishing production facilities in Ukraine could take several years.