Reuters: Germany expected to play key role in future Patriot missile production for Ukraine

Germany is expected to play a central role in plans to help Ukraine develop domestic production of U.S.-designed Patriot air defence missiles, with defence experts saying initial manufacturing is likely to begin in Germany or another European country before eventually shifting to Ukraine.

According to two sources familiar with the discussions, Germany, which has developed a domestic production chain for PAC-2 Patriot interceptors, is seen as well placed to support the effort. The sources said the new interceptors would most likely be manufactured in Germany or elsewhere in Europe, where production is considered safer during the war, before being transferred to Ukraine once the conflict ends, Reuters reports.

The plans follow U.S. President Donald Trump's July 8 pledge to allow Ukraine to produce U.S.-made Patriot air defence missiles. The announcement, made during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, marked a significant improvement in relations between the two leaders after their public dispute at the White House in February 2025.

However, defence experts say it could take at least a year before production begins, leaving Ukraine facing a continued shortage of interceptor missiles as Russia maintains its missile campaign against Ukrainian cities and critical energy infrastructure.

Zelenskyy said on July 9 that technical teams would work out the details as quickly as possible, adding that he wanted production to begin "in Ukraine as soon as possible." He also said a shipment of PAC-3 Patriot interceptors from the United States was expected in the coming days.

In the meantime, Zelenskyy has urged allied countries to supply missiles from their existing stockpiles and support a NATO-coordinated financing mechanism under which European allies and Canada would provide funds to the United States to procure American-made weapons for Ukraine.

Experts say Patriot interceptor production remains insufficient to match Russia's missile output, estimating that Moscow manufactures at least 700 to 800 Iskander ground-launched and Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles each year.

By Sabina Mammadli