RTX in Talks to Co-Produce Patriot Interceptors in Ukraine, Zelenskiy Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Thursday that U.S. aerospace and defense giant RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, has expressed interest in the joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles in Ukraine. The discussions aim to bolster the nation's air defenses amid ongoing Russian ballistic missile attacks.

High-Level Discussions in Kyiv

In a post on the social media platform X, Zelenskiy confirmed he had met with a delegation from RTX led by Vice President Joseph DeAntona. The talks represent a significant step in Kyiv's long-standing effort to secure domestic production of critical defense assets.

"I am grateful for the company’s readiness to take our partnership to an even higher level, where Ukraine would co-produce, together with Raytheon, some of the most vital air defense assets – Patriot interceptors," Zelenskiy stated. He added that the meeting also covered potential partnerships for "non-offensive military equipment."

U.S. Backing for Domestic Production

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The meeting follows a recent commitment from Washington to support Ukraine's defense industry. During the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors.

Zelenskiy has been actively pushing for the implementation of this agreement. On Wednesday, he met with U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker in Kyiv to discuss the licensing process, stating he wanted "faster action and greater support" from international partners.

Market Impact

The potential for a major new production partnership was noted by investors. On Thursday, shares of RTX (NYSE: RTX) were trading significantly higher, rising 7.16% during the session. Establishing production in Ukraine could represent a long-term strategic expansion for the defense contractor as Kyiv seeks to rebuild and modernize its military capabilities.