Ukraine has asked Germany to provide dozens of additional Patriot interceptor missiles from its existing stockpiles this year as Russia intensifies ballistic missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, according to Bloomberg.
People reportedly familiar with the discussions said Kyiv proposed a swap arrangement on Thursday, under which Germany would transfer interceptors immediately and later receive replacement missiles from future production.
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Berlin has not yet approved the request, but a decision could be announced shortly before or during the NATO summit in July, one source told Bloomberg.
Germany’s defense ministry declined to comment on the report.
The purported proposal comes as Ukraine faces mounting pressure from Russia’s growing ballistic missile arsenal.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) said this week that Russia can launch up to 100 ballistic missiles per month while maintaining stable stockpiles thanks to sustained production rates.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned that ballistic missiles remain one of the most dangerous threats facing Ukraine and has urged allies to accelerate deliveries of Patriot systems and interceptor missiles.
Germany remains Ukraine’s key European option
In April, Germany approved a €4 billion ($4.6 billion) military assistance package for Ukraine that includes funding for hundreds of Patriot missiles.
However, European stockpiles of Patriot interceptors have become increasingly limited, making additional supplies difficult to secure.
Russia Can Launch Up to 100 Ballistic Missiles at Ukraine Each Month Without Depleting Stocks – HUR
According to Bloomberg’s sources, Germany is currently the only EU member capable of making a significant contribution to Ukraine’s Patriot inventory.
The issue has become more urgent as demand for Patriot missiles has surged globally following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, where the interceptors are also being used extensively.
“We are not in focus today – Iran is the number one issue, and then comes Ukraine. Unfortunately, we are in the queue for these wars,” Zelensky said during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday.
Zelensky also recently criticized officials for delays in securing additional Patriot supplies and warned that personnel changes could follow if progress is not made.
PAC-3 shortages remain a major obstacle
While Germany is financing local production of Patriot PAC-2 missiles under the €4 billion package, deliveries are not expected until 2027-29.
Ukraine now needs PAC-3 interceptors, the only Patriot variant capable of reliably destroying ballistic missiles.
PAC-3 missiles are currently produced only by Raytheon in the US and by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license in Japan.
Earlier this week, Japanese lawmaker Shigefumi Matsuzawa called on Tokyo to approve exports of PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine, arguing that Russia’s continued ballistic missile attacks constitute extraordinary circumstances.
Japan expanded its defense export framework earlier this year but has so far declined to authorize direct weapons transfers to Ukraine.
Speaking in parliament, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the government was “not currently considering” exporting Patriot missiles to Kyiv.
Ukraine has also requested permission to manufacture PAC-3 interceptors under license if direct deliveries remain insufficient.
“The only thing that is exclusively in the hands of the US government is the ability to intercept ballistic missiles,” Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington, Olha Stefanishyna, said last week.
Ukraine “can definitely pay” for additional Patriot systems and missiles, she added.
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