Why Ukraine’s new Patriot deal won’t solve its biggest air defense problem? Expert explains

The United States has approved the sale of 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine, with delivery set for after 2030. However, aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap from 24 Channel believes that this $2.1 billion deal will not address Ukraine's biggest air defense issue against Russia's mass ballistic strikes. Anti-ballistic defense remains a critical concern for Ukraine, as Russia has recently targeted energy facilities across 13 regions and Kyiv's largest bridge.

European stocks of air-defense systems are nearly depleted, and US production cannot keep pace with Russia's attacks. Kryvolap doubts that a plan to swap Spanish PAC-2 systems for later deliveries can fill the gap, as Europe has already given away most of its surplus defenses. Even if PAC-3 missile production increases, it would still fall short of the 750 missiles Ukraine needs to effectively counter Russia's monthly barrage of 100-120 ballistic missiles.

Ukraine's own statistics show that in October, it managed to shoot down only around 7% of Russia's ballistic missiles, which are the most challenging targets for their air defenses.