Zelensky says Trump approved licenses for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missiles

Agreement in New York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 25 September 2026 that US President Donald Trump agreed to grant Ukraine production licenses for Patriot air defense missiles. The announcement followed bilateral discussions held earlier in the week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Zelensky stated that the talks also addressed potential de-escalation measures intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations. The Ukrainian leader communicated the licensing decision through an audio message delivered to journalists.

During our last meeting, President Trump emphasized: 'Yes, I have made a definitive decision. Ukraine will receive licenses for the production of Patriot missiles.'

The Ukrainian presidential administration confirmed that joint technical teams from Ukraine and the United States are already working to prepare production lines for Patriot interceptors in Ukraine. Kyiv has sought manufacturing rights for the RTX platform for months to defend urban centers and critical infrastructure from Russian ballistic strikes.

Shifting positions in Washington

The licensing announcement follows multiple revisions in statements from Washington regarding defense technology transfers. Trump initially promised production licenses during a bilateral encounter at the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026, telling Zelensky that the United States would instruct Ukrainian specialists on manufacturing methods.

We will show them how to do it. That way you will not be able to complain that we are not giving you enough.

Trump stepped back from that pledge during a cabinet meeting in late July, arguing that sharing advanced technology carried risks if recipient countries later turned against the United States. In mid-September, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Washington was evaluating licenses for a less advanced version of the system. On 23 September 2026, US State Department spokesperson Ian Bateson stated that no final decision had been reached and that negotiations remained ongoing.

Production timeline and technical capabilities

While the licensing agreement provides long-term manufacturing rights, local production will not address immediate operational deficits. Zelensky estimated that establishing domestic Patriot manufacturing facilities will take between 12 and 18 months. In the interim, Ukrainian armed forces remain dependent on direct missile shipments from foreign allies.

It is a hard thing to give away. People you give it to could one day turn against you.

Alongside the US licensing framework, Ukraine is collaborating with international partners to develop a separate domestic missile defense system. Patriot systems, manufactured by RTX (formerly Raytheon), provide interception capabilities against ballistic missiles at operational ranges of 15 to 20 kilometers, depending on the configuration and specific interceptor type.

Air defense demands and inventory needs

Kyiv faces severe shortages of interceptors as Russian military forces expand ballistic missile strikes against civilian centers and electrical grids. Ballistic interception remains among the most technically complex air defense missions, with Patriot missiles serving as the primary operational system capable of reliably destroying those incoming projectiles.

In mid-August 2026, Zelensky detailed the scope of Ukraine's air defense needs relative to American stockpiles. He stated that Ukraine requires 5% of total US Patriot missile stocks to protect vital infrastructure through the coming winter. Zelensky added that intercepting all Russian ballistic missiles fired at Ukraine would require approximately 10% of total US inventories.