According to Ukrinform, Ukraine is interested in establishing production cooperation with the Japanese company Mitsubishi, which is a licensed manufacturer of missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
Zelensky's statement on cooperation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made these statements on Thursday in response to a question about Kyiv's interest in partnering with Mitsubishi. He noted that Ukraine would be pleased to see the company in its country and would welcome an exchange of experience, but stressed that this depends on the readiness of the Japanese side.
Ukraine's need for air defense
The Patriot system, developed in the USA, is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, which is a critically important capability for Ukraine. This month, Ukraine managed to shoot down only four out of fifty-four ballistic missiles launched by Russia.
Comments on licensing and production
Earlier, Donald Trump promised Zelensky a license to produce Patriot in Ukraine, but he also admitted that he had not consulted beforehand with the companies that manufacture Patriot interceptors, namely Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Fabian Hoffmann, a missile expert from the Norwegian Institute for Defence Research in Oslo, told Reuters that the short-term impact on Ukraine would be very limited, and he would be very surprised if the process accelerated faster than within 12 months.
Potential partners and challenges
Reuters reported that Germany, which developed its own production chain for Patriot PAC-2 interceptors, could likely assist in creating these weapons. However, as a comparison, Raytheon signed an agreement in 2024 with European arms manufacturer MBDA to produce GEM-T interceptors for the PAC-2 system in Germany, with the first deliveries expected no earlier than early 2027.
Experts calculated that three Patriots are required to intercept one ballistic missile, and if Russia's production rates remain stable, approximately 2400 interceptors will be needed annually. Hoffmann warned: 'Even with a licensed production facility in Ukraine, achieving such a quantity would be very, very difficult, if not impossible.'