Ukraine may start receiving 500 Patriot missiles from the USA only after 4 years
Ukraine will receive 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, the possible sale of which the U.S. State Department approved on October 30, 2026, in the period from the fourth quarter of 2030 to the fourth quarter of 2033. This was reported to "European Pravda" by a representative of the American State Department on condition of anonymity.
Illustrative photo. Photo: Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images
Thus, Ukraine will be able to receive the first missiles under this agreement no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2030.
The State Department explained that an agreement on the purchase of PAC-3 can be concluded after the deal is approved by the U.S. Congress. 30 days are allotted for consideration. After this period, the parties will be able to sign the corresponding Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), which formalizes the sale of American weapons to foreign states.
On October 30, the U.S. State Department approved a possible deal for the sale of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems to Ukraine. The purchase is planned to be financed by international partners, including Canada, Germany and Norway, through the American JUMPSTART program. National funds provided as part of the 90-billion-euro loan from the European Union for Ukraine — the Ukraine Support Loan — will also be used.
Currently, Ukraine is negotiating with partners for some countries to concede their turn to purchase PAC-3 missiles from the American company Lockheed Martin. This would allow the Ukrainian army to receive interceptors earlier than the specified deadlines.
In addition, the possibility of transferring missiles to Ukraine from the current stockpiles of allied countries, primarily EU states, is being discussed. In return, these countries could receive new missiles after 2030.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that in 2026, Ukraine receives an average of only 12 missiles for Patriot systems per month.