Ukraine, together with Britain and EU, will create cheaper analogue of American Patriot air defense system
Ukraine, together with Great Britain and other European countries, is developing its own alternative to the American Patriot air defense system. The main goal of this large-scale project is to significantly reduce Kyiv's dependence on supplies from the United States and create much cheaper, but no less effective interceptor missiles. This is reported by the British publication The Telegraph.
The need to create a European analogue arose due to the fact that Moscow is actively taking advantage of the current shortage of Patriot missiles in Ukraine, intensifying combined strikes on Ukrainian cities. The situation has worsened against the backdrop of the US war against Iran, which forced the American side to reduce the volume of transfers of scarce Pac-3 interceptor missiles. This happened despite official appeals by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to US leader Donald Trump with a request to increase supplies.
It was precisely because of the lack of critically important ammunition that Zelenskyy proposed to European partners to develop an alternative air defense system. After negotiations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, it became known that London, Paris and Berlin are ready to support Ukraine in building anti-ballistic capabilities. NATO has already been involved in the process - Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed the coordinating role of the Alliance, which has already held its first meetings with leaders of the defense industry and national security advisers.
The coalition plan provides for a unique integration of technologies, where the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex will play a key role. According to sources, Ukraine will take over the direct production of anti-ballistic interceptor missiles, which are already undergoing initial tests. These missiles are planned to be integrated with advanced radars and guidance systems developed by leading European companies. This approach will significantly reduce the cost of producing the complex, which the UK itself will need in the future. The exact timing of the creation of a ready-made operating system that can match the speed of the American Pac-3 missiles is not yet disclosed.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Zelenskyy gave officials until June 12 to reach an agreement with partners on Patriot air defense systems. According to him, either there will be clarity, or there will be personnel decisions.
In addition, the Ukrainian defense industry seeks to expand its own production of high-tech PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems. Obtaining the appropriate American licenses will allow Kyiv to independently cover critical needs in protecting the sky and subsequently provide military assistance to other allies.