The protracted war in the Middle East could negatively affect the supply of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems intercepting Russian ballistic missiles for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. However, as of now, Ukraine has not observed any reduction in weapons deliveries from its partners, The Page reports.
In February, Moscow fired a record number of ballistic missiles at Ukraine — 121 missiles, each carrying over 500 kg of explosives. Russia launched them amid US-initiated “peace talks” — yet another weapon of destruction used by Russia to force Kyiv’s capitulation. According to intelligence, Moscow plans new strikes this spring.
Kyiv receives American PAC-3 missiles from NATO allies that buy them from the US through the PURL funding mechanism for Ukraine.
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"So far, the deliveries we were counting on have not decreased… But if prolonged combat operations continue in the Middle East, it will certainly affect supply. I am confident of this," Zelenskyy states.
Each PAC-3 missile costs between $3 and $5 million and is manufactured slowly, limiting stockpiles and making them critically important for Kyiv’s defense, as per Militarnyi.
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Zelenskyy emphasizes that Ukraine is developing its own weapons production and is working to prevent the blocking of $90 billion in funding for the defense sector.
"We will do everything to ensure our domestic funding is not stopped. Then our domestic production will operate at full capacity," Zelenskyy claims.
Certain countries, including Hungary, are attempting to create obstacles, but Ukraine plans to maintain the resilience of its defense sector.
US Patriots redirected to the front line in the Middle East
A month before the operation against Iran, the US deployed Patriot air defense missiles and THAAD missile defense systems in the Middle East, according to The Economist. Additionally, the US State Department approved the sale to Saudi Arabia of 730 PAC-3 MSE missiles and associated equipment, valued at $9 billion.
These steps underscore that controlling attack drones and ballistic missiles has become a global priority, and the technologies Russia uses against Ukraine are now a challenge for other regions of the world as well.
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