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Ukraine is facing a serious shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. The United States has approved the sale of 500 newly manufactured missiles, but deliveries may be delayed and will not provide immediate help. At the same time, Ukraine has also asked for assistance from Japan in the hope of receiving ammunition support.
ukraine There is an urgent need for Patriot interceptors to defend against rapidly increasing Russian air attacks. The United States announced on the 30th that it had approved the sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine. However, it is understood that these missiles will be newly manufactured products rather than allocated from the existing stock, so I am afraid the delay will not solve the problem.Japan Former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera revealed in an exclusive interview with Japanese media that during his visit to Ukraine in late September, senior Ukrainian government officials had requested Japan to provide interceptor bombs.
The BBC reported that as winter approaches, Russia steps up its attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, and the Patriot interceptor is the only weapon that can effectively shoot down Russian ballistic missiles. President of UkraineZelensky It has repeatedly urged the United States to accelerate deliveries, and recently admitted that the inventory of Patriot interceptor missiles is seriously insufficient. Earlier this week, he said Ukraine had been waiting for nearly a month for US approval to supply vital missiles.
Before the US approved the arms sale, Zelensky had a dispute with US President Trump. Trump said on the 10th that it is time for Ukraine to get a new leader to end the war with Russia. The US State Department issued a statement on the 30th, saying that this batch of advanced PAC-3 interceptors, with a total price of US$2.1 billion, will be “fully funded” by Ukraine’s allies in Europe and Canada. The main contractor is Lockheed Martin of the United States, and “no US funds are involved.”
Since the United States also used Patriot interceptors in its war against Iran, there have been global supply shortages and long production times, which may make it difficult for Ukraine to obtain them quickly. Japan’s Sankei Shimbun reported that Itsunori Onodera revealed in an exclusive interview that he and other members of the Liberal Democratic Party visited Ukraine’s capital Kiev from September 30 to October 1 and held talks with Zelensky and senior military officials.
Onodera revealed that several senior Ukrainian government officials, including Zelensky, have asked Japan to provide interceptor bombs and other ammunition paid for by Japan. However, Japan must apply exceptions for transfers of defense equipment to countries involved in the conflict, so he responded at the time: “I cannot make any commitments on my own. This is a very difficult issue, but I will discuss countermeasures with the government after I return home.”
Onodera said he had informed the Japanese government of Ukraine’s request. He also said that Russia has started using fast jet-propelled drones. “In the past, it was able to shoot down more than 90% of drones, but now the interception rate has dropped significantly.” Apart from this, ballistic missile attacks by the Russian Army have also increased rapidly. Ukraine has a serious shortage of interceptor missiles and cannot completely prevent missiles from falling into urban areas and attacking civilian facilities.
Onodera said that Ukraine has very strong expectations from Japan. Although he understands Japan’s legal restrictions, he still hopes Japan will provide some form of assistance.
Summary FAQ
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The US State Department approved 500 PAC-3 Patriot interceptor missiles, worth a total of $2.1 billion, funded entirely by Ukraine’s allies in Europe and Canada.
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Because the news states that these missiles are newly manufactured products and have not been directly allocated from the existing stock. Furthermore, due to global supply shortages and long production periods, it will be difficult for Ukraine to obtain them quickly in the short term.
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Former Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera revealed that senior Ukrainian officials had asked Japan to provide interceptors and other ammunition in exchange for a fee; However, he said that transfers of defense equipment to warring countries should be discussed in accordance with Japanese laws and exceptions.
