Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held discussions with representatives from Raytheon on Thursday regarding the potential co-production of Patriot air defense systems. The meeting occurred after President Donald Trump authorized cooperation between Ukraine and the United States on the manufacturing of these interceptors.
Zelensky stated that the two parties explored how Ukraine could help produce the Patriot interceptors alongside the aerospace and defense contractor. Kyiv considers these systems essential for defending against Russian ballistic missile strikes. The Ukrainian leader noted that he had previously raised the concept with Trump during the NATO summit held in Turkey earlier in the month.
According to Zelensky, government and private sector teams will maintain close communication to finalize the details of the agreement. The president also indicated that the discussions extended to other forms of partnership involving non-offensive military equipment.
Zelensky described Raytheon as a robust defense firm and highlighted that Ukraine has utilized its technology for an extended period to shield its population from Russian attacks. Specific terms of the potential deal or the timeline for production were not detailed in the report.
The meeting underscores ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities through increased industrial collaboration with American manufacturers. Further details on the scope of the partnership remain to be clarified.