Patriot missile shortage worsens: allies seek new supplies for Ukraine

European countries have almost exhausted their ability to continue supplying Ukraine with Patriot interceptor missiles. Limited supplies are making it increasingly difficult for Kyiv to obtain the missiles it needs to defend against Russian attacks.

This is reported by Politico.

Germany has already delivered Patriot systems and missiles to Ukraine. However, Berlin must now consider its own air defense needs and obligations to NATO.

Other European countries face a similar problem: they must decide how much of their limited reserves they can give to Ukraine without weakening their own defenses.

“We are really reaching the limits of our capabilities here. We also have to ensure our own protection,” said Brigadier General Jürgen Schrödl, a senior German Defense Ministry official, after the NATO summit in Ankara.

Amid the shortage, Berlin and the Nordic countries are calling for more active involvement in helping countries that still have the necessary supplies. In particular, the allies are paying increasing attention to Poland, Spain and Greece.

Ukraine is most acutely short of PAC-3 and PAC-2 interceptor missiles. At the same time, countries closer to Russia are becoming less willing to give up their own air defense assets due to the threat to their security. As a result, allies are looking for additional capabilities, primarily in Southern Europe.

The situation is complicated by dependence on the United States, which remains the main manufacturer of PAC-3 interceptors.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga previously stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Kyiv to purchase, exchange, or otherwise obtain missiles for air defense systems.

According to him, Ukraine is now actually “fighting for every” interceptor missile.

Recall that the manufacturers of the American Patriot air defense system may officially justify their concerns about the transfer of technology to Ukraine by the risks of intellectual property theft, but their real concern may be related to the potential of Ukrainian production. Ukrainian specialists can improve Patriot and in the future produce systems on a large scale faster and cheaper than they do on American production lines.

As reported this morning, Ukraine has not yet received a license to produce interceptor missiles for Patriot systems . The US stated that negotiations are ongoing, but they will not have time to complete them and conclude a corresponding agreement before the beginning of winter.

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