Ukrainian defence minister appeals to nearly 40 countries to transfer Patriot missiles this month
Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has appealed to nearly 40 partner countries requesting the urgent transfer of Patriot missiles from existing stocks this month. He also called for contributions to the PURL and JUMPSTART mechanisms.
Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda
Details: According to the ministry, the Russians used almost 500 attack drones and 77 missiles – of which 25 were ballistic or hypersonic – against Ukraine on the night of 1-2 July.
Ukrainian forces managed to intercept more than 90% of cruise missiles and 90% of Shahed-type attack drones. However, intercepting ballistic missiles remains a key challenge due to a shortage of Patriot missiles, the Ministry of Defence stated.
To provide Ukraine with anti-ballistic missiles, the Ministry of Defence in April concluded a record contract for hundreds of PAC-2 missiles for Patriot for the first time, with Germany's support. Deliveries will begin over the coming years.
A first step was also taken towards purchasing around a hundred Patriot missiles worth US$1 billion using an EU loan. This year, Ukraine also began receiving missiles from European partners' stocks for the first time. In addition, through the implementation of the NATO After Action Review standard, the effectiveness of Patriot against manoeuvrable Iskander missiles has already been more than doubled.
"But this is not enough – Ukraine critically needs additional missiles for its Patriot systems. They are available in partners' stockpiles. The protection of Ukrainian skies depends on fast decisions, the scaling of the PURL mechanism, and missile procurement through JUMPSTART.
Ukraine's minister of defence has already sent letters to nearly 40 partner nations requesting the urgent transfer of Patriot missiles from existing stocks to Ukraine this month – in exchange for future deliveries already contracted for Ukraine," the ministry stated.
The Ministry of Defence added that it is critically important to make decisions ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara next week.
Background:
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following Russia's latest massive attack on Ukraine, is awaiting a positive response from US President Donald Trump on Patriot licences.
- Ukraine's foreign minister called on Western partners not to delay decisions on providing air defence systems for Ukraine following Russia's large-scale strike on Kyiv.
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