Reuters learns from four sources that several options are being considered, including producing components in Ukraine and final assembly in Germany. New missiles are not expected before a year from now.
The United States continues negotiations on allowing Ukraine to produce Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles, despite recent public doubts expressed by President Donald Trump, Reuters reported on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, citing four informed sources.
According to Reuters, the most likely option under discussion involves producing certain components within Ukraine, while final assembly would take place in Germany. Additionally, other possibilities are on the table: integrating Ukraine into the existing joint US-European Patriot interceptor program, as well as granting Kyiv a license to produce a cheaper version of the missile, the PAC-3 ACE.
Washington's representative to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, is leading the efforts to reach an agreement. He visited Kyiv last month to discuss the matter with Ukrainian officials and defense industry leaders and to assess possible options.
Even if Ukraine reaches an agreement on producing Patriot interceptors, it will not begin receiving new missiles for at least a year, and possibly later. This time delay is a key factor in planning Ukraine's air defense, which relies heavily on Western systems to protect against Russian aerial attacks.
The news comes as NATO, according to a post on social media platform X on August 5, has launched an initiative to encourage financial institutions to invest more and lend to defense and security companies, as allies work to increase funding and partner with private investors.
