Ukraine has signed a major contract for hundreds of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles with Germany's support, with deliveries set to begin next year, while also pursuing the development of its own anti-ballistic missile, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, Fedorov said Ukraine is also seeking to borrow Patriot missiles from partner countries until contracted deliveries begin.
"Thanks to Germany, we signed a major contract for hundreds of these missiles, with deliveries starting next year. But we want to borrow missiles from some countries now and return them later," he said.
Fedorov recalled that during the first Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format, Kyiv sought to obtain Patriot missiles from European stockpiles, requesting one or two missiles from individual countries and ultimately securing several dozen, which helped repel Russian attacks in February and March.
The Minister said Ukraine is also working to sign direct contracts for the purchase of PAC-3 missiles, continues to receive them from the United States, and is exploring new ways to secure additional supplies from countries that have not previously provided them.
