Key facts
- U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles.
- Trump suggested Ukraine should manufacture the missiles itself.
- The U.S. president's idea was not cleared with the manufacturers, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
- Ukraine has a contract with Germany for 600 Patriot missiles.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Trump's personal approval was the final requirement for Ukraine's production.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 8, 2026, that he would grant Ukraine a license to produce American Patriot missiles, a key air defense system. Trump stated during a press briefing ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine should "make them yourself" to address production limitations and ensure sufficient supply.
The idea goes beyond Ukraine's requests for more air defense systems and interceptors. Trump framed the move as a way to shift responsibility to Ukraine for manufacturing the systems itself. It was not immediately clear if the license would cover full batteries, interceptor missiles, or components. The Patriot system is complex, and any licensing arrangement would require buy-in from U.S. industry and government agencies. Trump acknowledged that the idea had not yet been cleared with manufacturers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
President Zelenskyy had previously emphasized Ukraine's technical capacity to produce the missiles, noting that only a U.S. license was required. He indicated that Trump's personal approval was the final hurdle, with other European and American defense manufacturers in agreement. Ukraine has a contract with Germany for 600 Patriot missiles, though deliveries are expected to be a lengthy process. During the Biden administration, Ukraine had repeatedly raised the issue of Patriot missile production without success.