Ramstein Meeting to Discuss Localization of Western Air Defense Missile Production in Ukraine

At today’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, the localization of missile production for Western air defense systems in Ukraine will be discussed.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius reported on this, according to The Guardian.

The Ukrainian side made this request to countries that produce modern air defense systems and participate in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which is currently taking place in Brussels.

“Pistorius also said that the leaders would discuss Ukraine’s request to produce missiles locally under license,” The Guardian reported.

The minister did not specify which systems were being referred to. It is known that Germany manufactures the IRIS-T SLS and SLM air defense systems, which Ukrainian troops are already using to protect cities and infrastructure.

In March, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding with the German company Diehl Defence, which manufactures these air defense systems. The cooperation includes, among other things, tripling the supply of missiles and air defense systems.

Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Minister of Defence and the Foreign Minister to intensify contacts with partners regarding air defense systems, particularly within the Ramstein format.

“…It is also important to significantly ramp up the production of air defense systems and missiles for them in Europe and America. In Ukraine we can ensure such production and require the appropriate political decisions,” emphasized Zelenskyi.

In the context of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, it is worth mentioning that Head of the U.S. Department of Defense, Pete Hagseth, will join the meeting via video link. Earlier, there were reports that U.S. representatives would not participate in this meeting at all.

Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine

Ukraine has already requested a license from the U.S. to produce Patriot air defense systems, as stated by Volodymyr Zelenskyi in December last year.

“I have asked the United States many times to grant licenses for the production of Patriots. It seems that no one is opposed. No one has ever told me: no, we won’t give you the license. But so far, we haven’t received anything,” said the President of Ukraine.

According to him, the main reason for this initiative was the critical delays in the delivery of these systems by allies, while the country needs protection for cities and rear areas from Russian missile strikes.