US unlikely to reach Patriot missile co-production deal with Ukraine before winter, envoy says

A long-term agreement between the United States and Ukraine to jointly produce interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems will not be finalized before this winter, according to US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker.

In an interview with Fox News, Whitaker explained that restrictions on sensitive technology transfer currently delay the co-production arrangement. Despite the delay regarding Patriot interceptors, Whitaker emphasized that Washington is actively collaborating with Kyiv and European partners to jointly manufacture alternative air defense capabilities. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly requested authorization to produce advanced Western military hardware locally to protect critical energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Broader defense industrial cooperation between Washington and Kyiv remains ongoing.

Sources: MIA (Media Information Agency), Sloboden Pečat.