Alternatives to Patriot missiles

Ukraine to seek alternatives to Patriot missiles amid global shortage, Zelenskyy says

There aren’t enough PAC-3 anti-ballistic missiles to go around, especially with partners prioritizing the war in the Mideast, Ukrainian leader says.

By Veronika Melkozerova

Ukraine needs to look for alternatives to the U.S.-made PAC-3 anti-ballistic missiles, even though Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated their superiority, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“PAC-3 deficit in the world, in Ukraine in particular, has never ended. Unfortunately. You know that the total production is about 60 missiles per month," Zelenskyy told journalists via WhatsApp chat on Monday, as he was on his way back to Kyiv from the Middle East, where Ukraine struck several long-term defense deals over the weekend with Gulf countries.

"Of course, there are important steps on the territory of the European continent to increase production, but even this increase will not solve this issue,” he added.

Kyiv has repeatedly asked for more PAC-3 missiles, which are used in Patriot air defense systems.

The U.S. campaign against Iran has made matters worse for Ukraine, as some of Kyiv's partners are prioritizing supplies to the Middle East, Zelenskyy said.

“All anti-ballistic packages — we see how partners ... where they are sending them ... where it is very hot today. This is primarily the Middle East. Unfortunately, sometimes they forget about Ukraine, but we remind everyone and are grateful to the partners who hear us,” Zelenskyy said, not naming the partners.

He added that Ukraine has already begun its search. “We are negotiating with two countries to have such an opportunity. But for now ... When there is a result, then I will say more. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense producers need to do everything possible for our defense industry ... so that we have our own anti-ballistic systems.”

Last week, POLITICO reported that U.S. officials had informed allies that a war with Iran could delay supplies for Ukraine. However, Ukraine received assurances that Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, supplies for Kyiv would not be redirected, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Ukrinform state news agency on Sunday.

Zelenskyy had earlier suggested Kyiv could exchange its interceptors for PAC-3 ones.