EU Pledges €6.1 Billion in Fresh Support for Ukraine, Including Patriot Interceptors
The European Union is preparing an additional €6.1 billion in support for Ukraine, with a significant portion of the funding expected to help Kyiv obtain urgently needed military equipment, including Patriot missile interceptors.
Brussels is also encouraging EU member states that still have Patriot interceptors in their national stockpiles to consider sending them to Ukraine now and replacing the systems later when new deliveries are expected in 2027.
The latest funding will come from the EU’s €90 billion support loan for Ukraine. Of that broader package, €28.3 billion has been set aside for military assistance, while another €16.7 billion is allocated to help support Ukraine’s budget.
The EU has also agreed to remove its “Made in Europe” requirement for some of the purchases. This will allow Ukraine to use the funds to acquire US-made Patriot interceptors as well as drones that rely on components manufactured in China.
The €6.1 billion allocation completes the military-assistance portion of the current €28.3 billion envelope. According to the EU, the money will be released in stages as Brussels reviews and verifies contracts signed by the Ukrainian government with private suppliers.
European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius stressed the importance of getting military equipment to Ukraine as quickly as possible.
He said Ukraine’s ability to maintain its military advantage depends on receiving critical equipment in sufficient quantities and within short time frames. He also highlighted the need to speed up deliveries by using existing stockpiles, changing priorities for orders and increasing production.
The announcement comes as Ukraine’s allies seek to strengthen the country’s air-defence capabilities amid continued Russian attacks. The situation has become particularly urgent as Russia increases its use of drones and other weapons, with European officials warning that the coming winter could be especially difficult.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has estimated that Ukraine could require around 300 Patriot interceptors to strengthen its defence during the winter.
However, supplies of PAC-3 interceptors, produced by US defence company Lockheed Martin, remain limited. The shortage has made it more difficult for Ukraine to defend against Russia’s ballistic missile attacks.
Production has also faced additional pressure because of increased demand linked to the conflict in the Middle East. A PAC-3 interceptor can reportedly take around 24 months to manufacture, while each missile costs several million dollars.
To address the immediate shortage, Brussels is exploring a possible arrangement with EU countries that still have Patriot interceptors available in their stockpiles. Under the proposal, countries could transfer some of their existing interceptors to Ukraine and later receive replacements from deliveries expected in 2027.
Kubilius said Ukraine is expected to make every effort to secure as many interceptors as possible before winter, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
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