Ukraine is preparing contracts for about 1,000 missiles for the Patriot system
Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara called on partners to make the necessary financial decisions by November to support Ukraine. According to him, contracts are currently being signed with partners to supply approximately 1,000 missiles for the Patriot systems.
"Up to 90% of our success on the battlefield depends on drones. I ask you to make the necessary financial decisions by November so that we can see results on the battlefield as early as this winter. Similarly, to ensure Ukraine’s resilience, we need decisions in the area of air defense. We are signing contracts with our partners to supply approximately 1,000 missiles for the Patriot systems, funded by an EU loan,” Khmara said at the start of Tuesday’s meeting of the “Ramstein” Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense.
According to the defense minister, Ukraine has already received €62 billion of the €70 billion pledged at this year’s NATO summit in Ankara.
“I want to emphasize that the total defense budget shortfall amounts to 23 billion euros, or 27 billion dollars. These funds will allow us to finance the purchase of drones to ensure stable deliveries this year and early next year,” he stressed.
Khmara also noted that most of the Patriot missiles for which contracts are currently being signed will not be delivered until the coming years, so Ukraine is asking its partners to provide missiles from their stockpiles immediately.
“In exchange, we will receive the future, upgraded missiles under our contracts. We would also like to emphasize the importance of supplying air-to-air missiles and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to counter jet-powered kamikaze drones, as well as, on a temporary basis, to counter cruise missiles and jet-powered “shahids,” the minister noted.
He emphasized that Ukraine, along with dozens of other Ukrainian companies, is seeking cost-effective solutions for intercepting jet-powered UAVs, and some interception systems are already being tested in combat.
Khmara spoke about this at a meeting of the "Ramstein" Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense on Tuesday.
The EU has approved the allocation of 3.2 billion euros for the purchase of Patriot missiles for Ukraine.
The United Kingdom is allocating 100 million pounds for a winter aid package for Ukraine’s air defense. This package will include hard-to-find interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems, which are intended to help protect the lives of Ukrainians during the winter.
Ukraine is continuing negotiations with the United States regarding licenses to manufacture missiles and components for the Patriot air defense systems. U.S. President Donald Trump has already responded positively to Ukraine’s proposal, but a final decision on the licenses has not yet been made.
