Ukraine wants to produce its own "Patriot" interceptors, U.S. arms dealers fear losing a piece of the pie?

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 10 - Whether the United States will authorize Ukraine to produce "Patriot" air defense system interceptors has recently attracted significant public attention. The Atlantic magazine reported on the 9th that two U.S. defense contractors will formally express their concerns to the U.S. government regarding the risks of technology transfer and intellectual property related to this production.

Both defense contractors produce "Patriot" interceptors. Sources in the U.S. Congress say that these companies are genuinely worried that Ukraine will make improvements to the interceptors and then mass-produce them at a faster rate and lower cost. This is something that the current U.S. production line cannot achieve.

At this stage, Ukraine is requesting more interceptors to meet its air defense needs; the U.S. has reportedly consumed a large number of this type of interceptor in the conflict with Iran and is preoccupied with its own situation; U.S. allies in the Gulf and Europe, based on their own needs, are either tightening their inventories or also looking to "restock."

Ukrainian President Zelensky stated during his visit to the U.S. on July 28 that he discussed topics such as Ukraine producing "Patriot" interceptors with U.S. President Trump. The two met on the 8th of the same month during the NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump indicated he would authorize Ukraine to produce them.

However, Trump recently reversed his position, stating that the U.S. has not yet agreed to authorize Ukraine to produce this type of interceptor. Relevant discussions are ongoing, and transferring such technology "must be done very cautiously."

According to the Financial Times on the 5th, Trump also rejected Zelensky's request for more "Patriot" interceptors, emphasizing that the U.S. has its own needs.

The New York Times reported that the U.S. has consumed more than 1,500 "Patriot" interceptors in its conflict with Iran, and currently, the U.S. has fewer than 1,700 of this type of missile in stock. Although U.S. defense contractors are accelerating and expanding production, it will still take more than two years to replenish this quantity of missiles.

Using different interceptors, the "Patriot" air defense system can intercept various targets. According to Reuters, the PAC-2 GEM-T interceptor can destroy short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. The more advanced PAC-3 MSE interceptor can target long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and hypersonic missiles. (Chen Lixi)