Trump Says US Will Allow Ukraine to Produce Patriot Missiles

President Donald Trump, on July 8, said the United States would grant Ukraine a license to produce its own supply of Patriot air defense systems, which have been in high demand throughout more than four years of fighting with Russia.

“One of the things we’re going to be talking about is we’re going to give a license to you to make,” Trump said during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.

“That’s pretty cool, right? This way, he can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough. Let’s say, ‘make them yourself.'”

Since the start of the large-scale conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainian forces have relied upon Patriot air defense systems, transferred from the United States and other international supporters, to blunt persistent Russian aerial attacks.

But such systems have been in high demand elsewhere around the world.

After launching strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, U.S. forces throughout the Middle East relied heavily on Patriots and other air defense systems to protect against Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone barrages.

In May, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the United States was delaying approval of a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to ensure U.S. forces had enough munitions on hand for the ongoing armed standoff with Iran.

In recent months, the Trump administration has announced efforts to boost arms production. Still, scaling up production will take time.

As he spoke with Zelenskyy, Trump acknowledged lengthy delivery timelines for U.S. weapons systems.

“If you order a Patriot now, you have to wait a long time for them. Same thing with the Tomahawk,” Trump said.

Granting Ukraine a license to produce its own Patriot systems could help satisfy Zelenskyy’s calls for air defense support, while enabling the United States to satisfy demand for the systems elsewhere around the world.

As he spoke with Zelenskyy, Trump indicated his administration would still have to clear the licensing plan with the companies that developed the Patriot system.

“We haven’t informed the company of that yet, but that’ll work out all right,” Trump said.

Raytheon is responsible for the radar and ground systems that comprise the Patriot air defense system, while Lockheed Martin manufactures the interceptor missiles that the Patriot system utilizes.

The United States previously shared Patriot production licensing with Japan through an agreement with Mitsubishi.

As Trump announced the licensing plan, Zelenskyy praised the U.S.-developed air defense system for its efficacy.

“The Patriot system is the best, you know, in the world for today, the best anti-ballistic system,” Zelenskyy said.