Ukraine war: Zelensky warns of long delivery times for Patriot system

500 anti-aircraft missiles Zelensky warns of long delivery times for Patriot system

The US State Department approved the delivery of an important weapons system to Ukraine. But President Zelensky fears it will only be available years later. He made a suggestion to his partners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has warned of long delivery times for a weapons system from the USA. He called the US State Department's authorization to deliver additional Patriot interceptor missiles to X a "strong decision." However, deliveries could only begin “in a few years.”

Zelensky wrote: "We ask our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is real danger and PAC-3 interceptor missiles are needed."

He suggested that the United States and European allies first hand over missiles from their stockpiles to Ukraine and later replace them with the newly ordered weapons.

Patriot-type systems are considered particularly effective in defending against ballistic missiles that Russia uses in its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Billion dollar order approved

The US State Department had previously approved the sale of 500 Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. The ministry said the order was worth an estimated $2 billion.

Ukraine will pay for the missiles with contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway, as well as national funds from the European Union's Ukraine Support Loan, the statement added. "No US resources will be used," it said from Washington.

Since Trump took office at the beginning of 2025, the USA has significantly reduced its direct military aid to Ukraine. However, NATO states and other allies can use the “Purl mechanism” to purchase weapons packages worth $500 million each from the USA for Kiev.

The main contractor for the sale of the Patriot interceptor missiles is the defense company Lockheed Martin. The long delivery time is related to the company's production capacities, which they want to expand.

The Ukrainian president said earlier this week that his country had been waiting for approval for missile deliveries for almost a month. He had repeatedly called on the US to speed up deliveries before winter.

In recent weeks, relations between Ukraine and the USA have cooled noticeably. Zelenskyj said: "If missile deliveries for the Ukrainian defense are blocked while sanctions against Russia are relaxed, then this is unfortunately a denial of reality by our partners." US President Donald Trump then described Zelenskyj as clueless and "no real help" in the peace efforts.