Ukraine has expressed readiness to purchase one Patriot anti-aircraft missile system for $1.5 billion, but at least 10 such complexes are needed to protect some cities. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, informs CBS News.
“One system that costs 1.5 billion dollars, we are ready to buy, and we need at least 10 systems to close some cities, only civilians. We are ready to pay this 1.5 billion dollars, we will find this money and pay everything”, – noted Zelenskyi.
According to the president, an alternative way to strengthen air defense is to obtain licenses for the production of Patriot systems and their missiles. He sent a corresponding request to both the Trump administration and the Biden team.
“We wanted to pay for it, get licenses, and then understand how, in what terms we can build a full-fledged system of closing our sky.” – explained Zelensky.
He also emphasized that some countries have “Patriot” complexes at their disposal, although they are not at war. These systems could be temporarily transferred to Ukraine.
“We were even ready to get them (air defense systems) on lease. Understanding that if there is a challenge in one or another country, if they need to be returned very quickly, we will come.” – remarked the president.
