Ukraine to Produce Patriot Missiles with Raytheon

Ukraine will jointly produce interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system with US defense contractor Raytheon, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday after meeting company representatives.

Zelensky met a Raytheon delegation led by Vice President Joseph DeAntona and thanked the company for expanding its cooperation with Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion while facing sustained missile and drone attacks.

"Ukraine, together with Raytheon, will produce one of the most important components of air defense – interceptor missiles for the Patriot system", Zelensky said. He added that he had also discussed the project with US President Donald Trump during their meeting in Ankara.

According to Zelensky, government officials and representatives of the defense industry will now work out the details of the cooperation.

The announcement comes as Kyiv seeks to expand domestic weapons production and deepen cooperation with Western defense contractors.

The Patriot is the most advanced Western air defense system supplied to Ukraine and the only one capable of reliably intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Demand for Patriot systems and interceptor missiles continues to outstrip supply.

(kyivindependent, lud)