Ukraine has urged the UK, Poland, France, Italy and Germany to transfer 10% of their existing stocks of Patriot and IRIS-T interceptor missiles to Kyiv, as it seeks to strengthen air defences against Russian attacks while awaiting future deliveries, Rapporteur reported, citing a statement from Ukraine's defence ministry.

Source: Rapporteur

Ukrainian Defence Minister Evgeniy Khmara made the request during Monday's meeting of the E5+ format in Paris. Kyiv has contracts in place for future deliveries of interceptor missiles and is proposing that partners transfer some of their existing stocks immediately in exchange for later deliveries, the ministry statement said. “This would significantly improve the defense of Ukrainian cities and set a precedent for other partners,” Khmara said, in the statement reported by Kyiv Post.

Source: Kyiv Post via Dagens

10%Share of existing Patriot/IRIS-T stocks Ukraine is asking each E5 ally to transfer now
5E5 countries asked: UK, Poland, France, Italy, Germany

MANPADS and drone funding, too

The proposed transfers would help protect Ukrainian cities, Khmara said, adding that Kyiv also urgently needs man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) to counter jet-powered drones. A second priority is securing funding for Ukrainian drone production in 2027: Ukrainian manufacturers have the capacity to double production next year, but require funding decisions in time to plan, the statement said.

Kyiv Post reported, in the account summarised by Dagens, that Ukraine received 24 Patriot interceptors from the United States over the past 90 days, against a monthly need its planners put at roughly 350 — figures attributed to Kyiv's side, which have not been independently verified in the reports reviewed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine needs 300 interceptors from partners just to get through winter, and said this week Ukraine had waited nearly a month for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to sign off on Patriot and NASAMS transfers.

Allies reaffirm, but no transfer announced

The E5 ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening European defence capabilities within NATO, Rapporteur reported. Their joint declaration described Russia as the “most acute and long-term threat” to Euro-Atlantic security, citing its war against Ukraine, airspace violations, sabotage and hybrid attacks. No E5 government announced an immediate 10% transfer in the reports reviewed.

What is solid

  • Ukraine's defence minister asked the five E5 countries at Monday's Paris meeting to transfer 10% of their existing Patriot and IRIS-T interceptor stocks now, against future contracted deliveries (Ukraine defence ministry statement, reported by Rapporteur and Kyiv Post).
  • The E5 joint declaration described Russia as the most acute and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security (Rapporteur).

What is only claimed

  • Kyiv's figures for interceptors received and needed — 24 received in 90 days, about 350 needed a month, 300 needed for winter — are Ukrainian claims reported by Kyiv Post; they have not been independently verified in the reports reviewed.