Zelensky wants to borrow air defense missiles until US deliveries arrive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to discuss with a few partners the possibility of temporarily receiving 10–30 air defense missiles, which would later be repaid from the US-approved package of 500 PAC-3 missiles. He told Ukrainian media in Istanbul, according to the agency Interfax-Ukraine. The idea is meant to get Ukraine some missiles sooner than the American deliveries begin, which he said have been postponed by several years.

How the scheme would work

Zelensky explained that during the war Ukraine has already used a similar approach several times, swapping places in the delivery queue. This time, partners could hand over 10, 20 or 30 missiles from their stocks, with guarantees or agreements signed to return them from the American package. He suggested the repayment might carry some percentage, or might not.

Why deliveries are delayed

According to the president, missile deliveries under the American offer have been pushed back by several years because of production specifics and the relatively slow willingness of the US to share missiles from its own stocks. He stressed that this pace will not provide an adequate level of protection for Ukrainians. Zelensky also noted that a large share of air defense packages is currently being directed to the Middle East.

He thanked the United States and called the offer a very good one, but added that money must be raised for it. Zelensky said he was confident the funds would be found thanks to partners, primarily European ones. Ukraine will keep pursuing air defense systems through bilateral agreements with European and other countries, since relying on American deliveries alone is not enough.

Background

The US State Department had approved a possible foreign military sale to the Ukrainian government of 500 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles and related equipment, estimated at about $2.1 billion. International partners — Canada, Germany, Norway and the EU — would pay. The missiles are intended for Patriot systems that intercept Russian ballistic missiles. According to media reports, deliveries are not expected before 2030.