Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the country is finalizing a contract with American defense companies to acquire 25 Patriot air defense systems. He noted that production queues are already in place for these systems. The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to seek advanced weaponry to bolster its defenses against Russian advances.
Officials from the Ukrainian defense ministry stated that the procurement process has been expedited to ensure the timely delivery of the systems, which are critical for intercepting incoming missiles and aerial threats. The decision to procure the Patriot systems follows recent assessments of the effectiveness of existing air defense capabilities in repelling Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of international support in the ongoing conflict, stating that the procurement of U.S. defense systems is a testament to the solidarity of global partners. The President also reiterated the need for continued military aid to maintain the momentum in the war effort.