Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Raytheon is interested in co-producing Patriot interceptors with Ukraine, a move that would bolster Kyiv's air defenses against Russian missile attacks. This follows a recent U.S. commitment to grant Ukraine a license for Patriot missile interceptor manufacturing.
The potential joint production of Patriot interceptors could significantly bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities, offering a crucial advantage in its ongoing conflict with Russia and highlighting deepening military-industrial cooperation between Ukraine and its Western allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that U.S. aerospace and defence company Raytheon has expressed interest in a partnership to jointly produce Patriot interceptors. This potential collaboration aims to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities against escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Zelenskiy shared the news on X following a meeting with a delegation from Raytheon, which is owned by RTX. He expressed gratitude for the company's readiness to elevate the partnership, stating that Ukraine would co-produce vital air defense assets with Raytheon.
Ukraine has consistently requested support from its Western allies to bolster its supply of interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles and has sought manufacturing licenses. This development follows a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump during the NATO summit, where he indicated that Washington would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors.
The discussions with the Raytheon delegation, led by Vice President Joseph DeAntona, also encompassed other potential areas of partnership related to non-offensive military equipment. Earlier, Zelenskiy met with U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, emphasizing the need for faster action and greater support from partners regarding licenses.