Trump signals support for Patriot production in Ukraine

Frequent Russian strikes depleted Ukraine’s stock of the pricey United States-made interceptors – and US President Donald Trump has now offered hope, giving Kyiv a licence to make them.

Donald Trump’s promise to let Ukraine manufacture Patriot air defence systems could strengthen Kyiv’s capabilities in the long term, but experts warn it will not solve the country’s immediate battlefield needs.

These missiles are crucial for defending the country against Russian ballistic attacks.

Rather than working through the centralized system of funding and procurement that has characterized the modern defense industrial base, Ukraine is “front-brewing”: equipping infantry with weapons produced through a decentralized model and designed in close collaboration with soldiers.