Americans fear Ukrainians will improve their weapons – The Atlantic

American defense giants Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are concerned about the possible transfer of a license to Ukraine for the production of Patriot missiles. According to The Atlantic, behind official statements about the risks of technology leakage lies a fear of competition from the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. Zelensky raised the issue at a meeting with Trump on July 28, but he refused, citing limited stockpiles. Ukraine produces about 10 million drones a year versus 100,000 in the US.

Leading American defense corporations Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are expressing concern over the possible transfer to Ukraine of a license to produce Patriot surface-to-air missiles. According to The Atlantic, behind official statements about the risks of copyright infringement and technology leakage lies a more pragmatic fear: apprehension of competition from the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. A source from the Republican Party on Capitol Hill told the publication that American manufacturers fear that Ukrainian specialists could improve the missiles and mass-produce them at lower cost and faster than in the US. The issue of long-term licensed production was raised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 28. The Ukrainian side also requested the prompt delivery of several hundred ready-made munitions from Washington's reserves, but Trump refused, citing limited stockpiles and the priority of the Middle East direction. According to CSIS, over the past six months, the US has used about two-thirds of its Patriot system stockpiles amid conflicts related to Iran. Analysts note that deploying full-scale production would take years, but in the long term, Ukraine could cover its own needs and supply surplus missiles to the US or allies. For comparison, Ukraine produces about 10 million unmanned aerial vehicles per year, while the US produces about 100,000.