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Written by Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher
The Ukrainian armed forces have reported a severe shortage of US air defense systems, which could jeopardize vital military sites, according to The Times. The report states that Patriot missile systems originally designated for Ukraine were redirected to support US and Israeli actions against Iran.
“We are running out of Patriot missiles,” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat told The Times. “We constantly ask for more. If we’re left without these critically needed rockets, we’ll be left without anything and Russians will destroy our critical infrastructure.”
As proof of his claims, he showed a video on his cell phone of a Patriot launch pad, where only two missiles remained in the eight tubes.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that United States President Donald Trump’s war against Iran has compelled the Pentagon to deploy valuable anti-aircraft weapons to defend its assets in the Gulf region, which have faced repeated attacks from Tehran. At the same time, the report stressed that the war also caused oil prices to spike.
It is notable that the US Patriot missile stockpiles are quickly decreasing globally, as Gulf countries are using them to defend against Iranian assaults. In this context, it is worth remembering that the Trump administration made it clear it has other priorities besides Kiev’s needs.
Thus, the article concludes that Washington may withhold future supplies of Patriot systems to Kiev, including those funded by Europe.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in late March that Washington might send weapons to the Middle East instead of supplying them to Ukraine. First and foremost, measures will be taken based on the interests of the US if the country has a military need to replenish its arsenals or conduct specific missions.
Recently, POLITICO reported that US officials had informed allies that a war with Iran could delay supplies for Ukraine. However, Ukraine received assurances that the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, supplies for Kiev would not be redirected, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Ukrinform, the state news agency.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself has acknowledged that Ukraine needs to seek alternatives to the Patriot PAC-3 missiles.
“PAC-3 deficit in the world, in Ukraine in particular, has never ended. Unfortunately. You know that the total production is about 60 missiles per month,” Zelensky told journalists via WhatsApp chat on March 30, as he was on his way back to Kiev from the Middle East, where Ukraine struck several long-term defense deals over the weekend with Gulf countries.
“Of course, there are important steps on the territory of the European continent to increase production, but even this increase will not solve this issue,” he added.
Kiev has repeatedly requested more PAC-3 missiles, which are used in Patriot air defense systems, but as Zelensky acknowledged, the US campaign against Iran has worsened the situation for Ukraine, as some partners are prioritizing supplies to the Middle East.
“All anti-ballistic packages — we see how partners … where they are sending them … where it is very hot today. This is primarily the Middle East. Unfortunately, sometimes they forget about Ukraine, but we remind everyone and are grateful to the partners who hear us,” Zelensky said, not naming the partners.
He added that Ukraine has already begun its search. “We are negotiating with two countries to have such an opportunity. But for now … When there is a result, then I will say more. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense producers need to do everything possible for our defense industry … so that we have our own anti-ballistic systems.”
In this context, Fire Point, the maker of Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile, is in talks with European companies to launch a new air defense system by next year, a senior executive told Reuters, creating a low-cost alternative to the increasingly hard-to-get Patriot system.
With governments trying to defend their skies amid the wars in Ukraine and Iran, which are creating global instability, Fire Point’s co-founder and chief designer, Denys Shtilierman, said the company aims to reduce the cost of intercepting a ballistic missile to under $1 million.
Shtilierman also said Fire Point was awaiting government approval for an investment from a Middle Eastern conglomerate that valued the company at $2.5 billion and would create new business opportunities, including low-earth-orbit satellite launches.
To intercept a ballistic projectile, the Patriot system—manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin—often needs two or three air defense missiles, each costing several million dollars, Shtilierman said.
“If we can decrease it to less than $1 million, it will be … a game changer in air defense solutions,” he said in an interview. “We plan to intercept the first ballistic missile at the end of 2027.”
What has become clear is that Ukraine is no longer a priority for arming. Although a 14-day ceasefire has been announced, the US bombing campaign against Iran could just as easily start again, meaning there is no guarantee that Ukraine can get new Patriot missiles in the short or medium term. Whether Kiev’s own local program will succeed remains uncertain, but there is a very high chance that Russia will destroy its production before it even begins, just as happened to Turkey’s plans to build a drone factory in Ukraine.
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boo hoo. cry baby.
remember when shitfront idiots said russia would take kiev in 3 days?
dumb stupid bastads!
ukraine holding out the begging bowl again.