Kyiv Seeks Patriot Missiles From Germany to Boost Air Defenses

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(Bloomberg) — Ukraine has asked Germany to provide dozens of additional Patriot interceptor missiles from its stocks this year as Kyiv seeks to bolster its air defenses against intensifying Russian strikes, according to people familiar with the matter. 

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Ukraine proposed a deal in which it would receive the missiles in exchange for giving Germany interceptors that are expected to be produced in the future, said the people who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

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In April, Kyiv secured a €4 billion ($4.6 billion) military aid package from Berlin that includes funding for hundreds of missiles for the US-made Patriot air-defense system. 

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The German government is reviewing Ukraine’s request and has not yet made a decision, though an announcement could come shortly before or during the NATO summit in July, one person said. 

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A spokesperson for Germany’s Defense Ministry declined to comment. A spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not immediately able to comment, saying he needed time to verify the information.

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Patriot systems and Patriot missile interceptors are among the world’s most sought-after air-defense weapons, having proven highly effective against ballistic missiles strikes during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Demand has only increased since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, where the interceptors are also being used.

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That has added to the pressure on Ukraine, which is urgently seeking more Patriot missiles to protect its critical energy and military infrastructure, which Russia has repeatedly targeted since its full-scale invasion in 2022. 

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The country endured a difficult winter as freezing temperatures and continued Russian attacks on energy facilities strained the power system and led to widespread disruptions to electricity, heating and water services.

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Kyiv continues to rely primarily on the US for Patriot missile supplies. While the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has shifted Washington’s focus away from the war in Ukraine, deliveries of Patriot interceptors have continued according to schedule, one of the people said.

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Still, Ukraine is under strain as Russia ramps up ballistic missile production and continues to improve the weapons’ capabilities, the person added.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed to allies for more Patriot missiles, but dwindling European stockpiles have made securing additional interceptors increasingly difficult. Germany is the only EU country currently in a position to make a meaningful contribution, one of the people said.

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“We are not in focus today – Iran is the number one issue, and then comes Ukraine. Unfortunately, we are in the queue for these wars,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday. 

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He also criticized Ukrainian government officials for moving too slowly to secure additional Patriot missiles and threatened personnel changes if progress isn’t made.

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—With assistance from Olesia Safronova.

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