Ukraine needs approximately 2,000 Patriot missiles each year, according to EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, who spoke at a press conference in Brussels on March 25. He highlighted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is depleting existing stockpiles of this critical weaponry.
Kubilius noted that within just the first five days of the conflict, the U.S. and Gulf nations utilized nearly half of Ukraine’s annual missile requirement, totaling around 800 missiles. He pointed out that the total production of Patriot anti-ballistic missiles in the U.S. is roughly 750, emphasizing the urgent need to significantly increase missile production in Europe.
The commissioner acknowledged that while some missiles are already being produced for specific systems, there is a pressing need to explore the development of new systems. He remarked, “Currently, we have what could be termed ‘haute couture’ in defense systems. However, ‘good enough’ systems that balance cost and quality could pave the way for enhancing our capabilities and expanding them further.”
Kubilius admitted that ramping up production will take time and he cannot promise immediate results. In response to a question from Radio Svoboda regarding timelines, he discussed ongoing efforts in this area. “When we last met with the Ukrainian Minister of Defense a few weeks ago, they mentioned the possibility of collaborating with some European companies to develop new anti-ballistic systems,” he said.
The commissioner also mentioned the potential to scale up production of various European air defense systems, such as NASAMS. He stressed the need to address funding access issues for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are crucial to supply chains in the defense sector.
Furthermore, Kubilius highlighted the importance of deregulating the defense industry, particularly by reducing the duration of administrative procedures for obtaining necessary permits. He explained that in some countries, it can take up to four years to secure permission to build a new factory. The proposal is to shorten this timeframe to a maximum of 60 days.
He emphasized that increasing production is not just about securing more funding but also about ensuring actual output increases. “Failure to scale production could lead to rising prices, which we are already witnessing. Some ministers have expressed their concerns about this issue. Additionally, wait times will increase. Therefore, boosting production is a critical strategic priority for us—not only for missiles but for all types of weaponry,” Kubilius concluded.
On March 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would assist Middle Eastern countries in defending against Iranian attacks, with Ukrainian experts deployed on-site. On March 9, he revealed that following the initiation of U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran, Ukraine received 11 requests for drones capable of countering drone attacks. Zelensky proposed a “quiet exchange” of assistance with Middle Eastern nations, seeking missiles for air defense systems in return.
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that Ukraine needs 2,000 Patriot missiles annually, citing the depletion of stockpiles due to conflicts in the Middle East. He emphasized the necessity of increasing missile production in Europe and improving regulatory processes to meet defense needs.