Ukraine waits years for new Patriot missiles

The United States has authorized a potential sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine, with an estimated cost of $2.1 billion. The announcement came from the State Department on Friday and includes missiles, parts, and support services. This move represents one of the largest defensive weapon transfers to Kyiv since Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025.

The Patriot system is widely regarded as the most effective tool for countering fast-moving ballistic missiles. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it urgently requires more interceptors to counter the increasing volume of missiles fired by Russian forces. The approval follows a period of tension between the two nations, triggered by delays in missile deliveries. These delays coincided with Trump’s announcement of a diesel deal with Russia and his criticism of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not halting strikes on Russian refineries.

Zelenskyy noted on Monday that Kyiv had waited nearly a month for Washington to finalize the missile supplies. During that time, Russian attacks intensified against Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure. On Thursday, a drone strike hit a crowded rail platform in Dnipro, killing at least 14 people. Officials reported that daytime strikes in two other cities killed five individuals, while a late-evening missile attack in Kyiv killed one person.

Despite the immediate need for defense, the new interceptors will not arrive quickly. Two sources briefed on the decision said the missiles have not yet been manufactured. They are not expected to be delivered until a couple of years into the 2030s. Weapons sales typically require years to fulfill.

The funding for the package will come from contributions by Canada, Germany, and Norway through the US JUMPSTART program. Additional funds will be sourced from national budgets financed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan. Lockheed Martin serves as the principal contractor for the sale.

The US Army awarded Lockheed a contract in July worth up to $58.6 billion to produce the missiles. The company stated that the deal allows it to triple PAC-3 production capacity by the end of 2030. It has previously announced that annual production of the interceptors will reach 2,000 units. Pentagon negotiators are currently pressing weapons contractors to accelerate this production timeline.

Recent US military operations in Iran and large-scale supply efforts for allies have raised concerns about American inventories of air defense and precision-guided weapons. The Department of State confirmed the sale details in its official statement.