Berlin is urging the US to allow Patriot missile production in Europe to boost Ukraine's air defence stocks. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius argued the case with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth during a recent meeting in Washington. Germany is offering to establish production lines to meet the enormous demand for American systems.

While a statement of intent on co-production was signed last week, further negotiations are needed regarding intellectual property and Pentagon approval. The more advanced PAC-3 interceptors, made by Lockheed Martin, remain a particular point of contention. Meanwhile, European missile maker MBDA is set to begin producing Patriot PAC-2 missiles under licence at a site in Bavaria.

This development comes as Ukraine struggles to secure sufficient supplies amid a global squeeze exacerbated by the US stance on Iran. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested at least 300 Patriot interceptor missiles from the US to survive the winter. Although Trump previously suggested granting a domestic licence, he later rowed back, citing the need for caution with sensitive technology.

Germany is also pressing the US to allow domestic production of long-range Tomahawk missiles under licence.