Zelenskyy: Patriot production in Ukraine may take years

Launching production of Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine after receiving the relevant license from the US may take from 12 months to several years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Ukrainian television, Report informs.

According to him, the process is complicated by bureaucratic procedures in the US and European countries. Zelenskyy also noted that even after receiving a license, Ukraine would not be able to produce missiles for Patriot systems on its own.

He stressed that Kyiv is interested in placing as many production elements as possible on Ukrainian territory. According to Zelenskyy, locating production in several European countries could lead to additional bureaucratic delays.

In early July, at the NATO summit, US President Donald Trump said it may be possible in the future to organize licensed production of Patriot systems in Ukraine. Bloomberg earlier said launching production of interceptor missiles for these systems in Ukraine would take significant time and would not allow Kyiv to quickly replenish its existing stocks.