US approves Patriot production in Ukraine to ease shortages
2026-07-11
US backs Patriot production in Ukraine
The Trump administration will allow licensed production in Ukraine of the US-made Patriot air defense system, President Trump said on the 8th during a meeting with President Zelensky. It is an extremely unusual move, as only two allies, Japan and Germany, had been allowed to do so until now.
Supply shortages drove the decision
The United States has used up much of its Patriot inventory in attacks on Iran and can no longer meet Ukraine's weapons support requests with current production capacity. It therefore wants to bring Ukraine into the supply chain.
Patriot is regarded as one of the world's top air defense systems, capable of detecting and intercepting incoming missiles. Demand for the system is particularly strong among US-made weapons, and allowing local production also carries symbolic weight as a sign of deeper defense cooperation.
To manufacture it, a license must first be obtained from major US defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX, formerly Raytheon Technologies. In addition, coordination with dozens of companies involved in the production process for parts and other components is essential. Trump said on the 8th that the companies involved had not yet been informed, but added, 'It will work out.'
Production could take years
Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which studies missile defense, said that even if the plan goes smoothly, 'it will take years before the first Patriot can be produced in Ukraine.'
Japan agreed to licensed production in 2005, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries began production in fiscal 2008. Zelensky said on the 9th that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries would be 'a strong example of producing interceptor missiles at home' and indicated that he welcomed production in Ukraine.
Germany agreed in 2022 and began production in 2024. If Ukraine can draw on the precedents set by Japan and Germany, it may be able to start production sooner than initially expected.
According to CSIS, the US Patriot stockpile was cut in half by the attacks on Iran that began in February, as many missiles were diverted to defend Israel and others targeted by Iran. In March, Trump posted on social media after discussions with chief executives from seven companies, including major US defense contractors, that they had agreed to quadruple production of advanced weapons.
Even so, any increase in US production will take time, and deliveries to allies and friendly countries could be delayed by years even if contracts have already been signed. The United States accounts for 40% of global arms exports, far above second-place Russia's 10%.
Western countries including Japan and Europe have relied on the US supply chain until now, but the attacks on Iran mean it is likely to take some time before US production catches up with demand. That is the backdrop to allowing Patriot production in Ukraine.
Production expands among allies
The United States is urging allies to raise defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). In response, moves to allow production within allied countries could spread further.
In Australia, domestic production of the US-made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, or GMLRS, has begun. It is the first time GMLRS has been produced outside the United States. According to US media, Germany has asked the United States to allow local production of the US-made Tomahawk cruise missile.
The United States is also considering manufacturing RTX's AMRAAM air-to-air missile in Europe. It is exploring the possibility of joint production with seven countries: Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Britain.
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