Zelensky says US-approved Patriot missile deliveries to Ukraine may not begin for a few years

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the United States and European partners to provide Ukraine with Patriot missiles from their existing stocks, saying deliveries under a newly approved US deal for 500 interceptors may not begin until 2030. 

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Zelensky described the US State Department's approval as a "strong decision" but stressed that Ukraine's needs were urgent. 

"Five hundred PAC-3 interceptors is a substantial number, and very soon - this winter - they COULD make for a highly effective defense package. However, it has been stipulated that deliveries may begin ONLY IN A FEW YEARS,” he said on X. 

A strong decision by the U.S. State Department – authorizing Ukraine’s purchase of Patriot interceptors to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Five hundred PAC-3 interceptors is a substantial number, and very soon – this winter – they COULD make for a highly effective defense package. However, it has been stipulated that deliveries may begin ONLY IN A FEW YEARS. We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 interceptors. Right now, the Russians are attacking our energy infrastructure every single day. In just these past two weeks of October, there have already been more than 30 Russian strikes on critical parts of our power grid. It is right now, even before the beginning of winter, that Putin has started carrying out his operation to attack the systems that sustain life in our cities and communities. The targets are electricity, heating, water supplies, bridges, and life in our cities in general. We did ask our American partners to provide Ukraine with a winter support package – at a rate of 100 Patriot interceptors per month. Five hundred missiles would be enough to protect our skies over the coming months – precisely when it is so important for Ukraine to be in a strong position in negotiations and for Russia NOT to succeed in breaking life in Ukrainian cities and communities. The United States, our European partners, and other partners around the world have sufficient stocks of PAC-3 interceptors in their warehouses. Providing them to Ukraine right now – in the winter of 2026–2027 – and replenishing our partners’ arsenals LATER, in THE FOLLOWING YEARS, through this production already contracted and paid for by Ukraine and our partners would be the right approach. And it is entirely feasible. We are grateful to President Trump. Importantly, we recently discussed PAC-3 interceptors with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Ukraine is grateful to the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Administration overall for granting this authorization. But we are asking for decisions that can guarantee the protection of lives not the day after tomorrow or sometime later, but at the very moment the threat is there – when Russia is killing and destroying. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine! https://t.co/5NDPJs4hfa

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 30, 2026

He said the United States and European partners had sufficient missiles in their stocks and proposed transferring them to Ukraine now in exchange for missiles due to be delivered under the contract in the future. 

On Friday, the US State Department approved a potential sale to Ukraine of 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles for Patriot air defence systems. 

The estimated cost of the potential sale is up to USD 2.1 billion (EUR 1.9 billion). The purchase is to be financed by European countries, Canada and the EU. 

The State Department statement did not specify a delivery date.

Radio Free Europe, citing US officials, reported that the potential deal concerns missiles yet to be manufactured, with deliveries expected only in 2030. 

In July, Zelensky estimated that Ukraine would need 100 missiles a month during the winter to defend against Russian attacks. 

The number of missiles is almost as high as the number Lockheed Martin currently produces in a year. The company plans to increase annual production to 3,000 by 2030. 

US missile stocks have been significantly depleted during the war with Iran. According to a July assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), more than 1,000 Patriot missiles had been used, leaving around 800 in US stockpiles. 

(sp/gs) 

Source: PAP