Trump gives final approval for Ukraine to make Patriot missiles

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, important news has emerged about Ukraine's air defence capability. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US President Donald Trump has taken the final decision to license Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles.

The decision followed a meeting between Trump and Zelensky during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The move is being seen as significant for strengthening Ukraine's air defence, since it would allow Ukraine to produce these missiles domestically instead of depending on foreign supply.

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky said Trump had taken the final decision on the matter. According to him, Ukraine will now get the licences needed to produce Patriot missiles, opening a path to manufacturing this advanced air defence system's missiles within Ukraine itself. This means the Patriot missiles that Ukraine has so far received from the United States or from abroad could now potentially be produced on Ukrainian soil.

Ukraine is currently facing drone and ballistic missile attacks from Russia. If domestic production capacity increases, Ukraine could try to reduce its dependence on foreign supply for air defence. At present, Ukraine has to rely on missile supplies coming from outside to defend against such attacks.

The question of licensing Patriot missile production had been under discussion for several months. The United States had earlier said no final decision had been made on the issue, and Trump too had previously taken a cautious stance on the technology. In other words, this decision did not come about in a single day but followed months of discussion and the earlier cautious position taken by the US.

However, Zelensky said the situation changed after his latest meeting with Trump. Details such as the conditions of the licence, the type of Patriot missiles to be produced, and when actual production will begin have not yet been made public.

The Patriot system is considered important for Ukraine in defending against Russian ballistic missiles. If Ukraine gets permission to build its own production capacity, it could benefit the country's long-term defence strategy.

Zelensky had earlier said that once the necessary approvals are received, it could take around one to one and a half years to start Patriot missile production in Ukraine. After Trump's decision, the focus in the next phase is likely to be on technical cooperation, production preparation and the terms of the licence.