- Ukrainian President Says Washington Will Grant Kyiv Licences to Manufacture Advanced Air-Defence Interceptors
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that US President Donald Trump had told him that Washington would authorize Ukraine to produce Patriot air-defence missiles, potentially allowing Kyiv to strengthen its domestic capacity to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Zelensky said the decision was conveyed during their most recent meeting, describing it as a final determination by the US President.
“At our last meeting, President Trump emphasised to me that yes, I have made a final decision. Ukraine will receive licences for the production of Patriot missiles,” Zelensky said in a voice message to journalists.
The announcement follows several shifts in Washington’s position on the issue. In July, Trump said it would be “pretty cool” to grant Ukraine licences to manufacture the advanced interceptors, but subsequently indicated that the United States would need to exercise caution before authorizing such production.
Ukraine has repeatedly warned of shortages of Patriot interceptors, which Kyiv considers particularly important for defending against Russian ballistic missile attacks. The supply situation has reportedly become more difficult amid the diversion of some advanced air-defence resources to address the conflict involving the United States and Israel and Iran.
However, even if the necessary licences are formally granted, establishing the industrial infrastructure required to manufacture the missiles is expected to take more than a year, meaning the arrangement would not immediately address Ukraine’s current interceptor shortages.
Kyiv has therefore continued to appeal for additional air-defence support ahead of the winter season, when Ukrainian authorities anticipate renewed Russian attacks against critical electricity, heating and other energy infrastructure.
Zelensky said last month that Ukraine would require approximately five percent of US Patriot interceptors to help protect the country through the winter, while estimating that around 10 percent would be needed to intercept all Russian ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine.
Alongside efforts to secure additional Western air-defence systems, Zelensky said Ukraine is also developing its own anti-ballistic missile capabilities under the Freya programme.
BY: The Times Union – AFP
