Trump says the US will give Ukraine a license to manufacture the Patriot air defense system
The retired general addresses concerns about the Pentagon’s request for more missile funding
Martha MacCallum leads a discussion with Retired General Charles Wald about the United States’ missile supply. He explains the impact of supporting Ukraine on current inventories and emphasizes the need to increase capital and production. Wald emphasizes the importance of a strong defense industrial base to deter adversaries like Iran and protect allies in the Middle East and Asia.
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President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the US would license Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, a move that could mark a major shift in providing Kyiv with US weapons to help Ukraine produce its own.
Trump made the comments during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Kyiv continues to press Western allies for more air defense capabilities to counter Russian missile and drone attacks.
Trump’s announcement comes as Patriot interceptors have become one of Ukraine’s most pressing military needs. The US-made Patriot system is widely regarded as Ukraine’s most capable defense against Russian missile attacks and plays a key role in protecting Kyiv and other critical infrastructure.
The photo shows the Ukrainian strikes and the Patriot interceptor system. (Valentyn Ogirenko / Franck Robichon via pool / Reuters)
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Asked whether he would allow Patriot interceptors to be made in Europe and whether he would be open to licensing the technology, Trump said the two leaders would discuss it.
“We’re going to talk about that,” Trump said. “Look, it’s a defensive weapon, which I like better than an offensive weapon. It’s much better.”
A few minutes later, Trump continued, saying that the US would give Ukraine a license to make Patriots.
“We’re going to give you a license to be patriotic,” Trump said. “That’s good. Right? This way you can’t complain that we don’t give them enough. I’d say you did it yourself.”
US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and a NATO leaders’ summit at the Bestepe Presidential Compound, Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
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“We haven’t informed the company about that yet, but that will work well,” he added. “You know, I’m sure they’ll be very happy, but, you know, they’ll be able to do it. You’ll be able to find that.”
Ukrainian officials have warned that Patriot interceptor equipment has fallen to an all-time low, leaving the country vulnerable as Russia steps up missile strikes. Zelenskyy arrived at the NATO summit demanding more Patriot interceptors from allies while pushing for long-term solutions to increase production, saying current production cannot keep up with Russia’s growing missile campaign.
It is unclear whether Trump was referring to the Patriot interceptor missiles, the broader Patriot air defense system, or production in Ukraine, Europe or both.
Trump’s comments that the administration had not notified the company also raised questions about how far along the licensing process is and what role RTX, the defense contractor that produces the Patriot systems, would play in any future program.
The Patriot system has become one of the most sought-after air defense platforms in Ukraine as Russia continues to unleash missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities, energy infrastructure and military targets.
Any attempt to increase production of the Patriot will face significant industrial constraints.
A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force stands next to a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile launch vehicle in Funabashi, east of Tokyo, on Jan. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
RTX serves as the prime contractor for the Patriot air defense system, producing its radars, launchers and the PAC-2 GEM-T interceptor, while Lockheed Martin is developing the new PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor, designed to defeat ballistic missiles. Interceptors are among the most complex air defense weapons in the world, relying on hundreds of specialized suppliers and complex manufacturing processes.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to RTX and Lockheed Martin for comment.
Defense officials and industry executives have said it could take more than two years to produce the Patriot interceptor, underscoring why the US and its allies are struggling to replenish stocks as demand increases amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
