Ukraine hopes to gain support from Japan as it looks to produce Patriot air defence systems under US license, citing the expertise of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI), which manufactures the interceptors for Japan’s defence forces. The push for Ukraine Japan Patriot production came from Sergiy Kyslytsya, first deputy head of Ukraine’s Office of the President, in an interview with Kyodo News.
“We maintain political dialogue” toward seeking cooperation from Japan, one of the few countries granted a license to build the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, Kyslytsya said.
Why Ukraine Wants Japan’s Involvement
US President Donald Trump pledged in early July to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot systems, seen as crucial for Kyiv to counter missile attacks amid Russia’s invasion, now in its fifth year. While Ukraine has the capabilities to operate a complex defence system, Kyslytsya said, “We need training. We need assistance.”
The senior Ukrainian official also argued that Patriots are defensive in nature, and that Japan, a country that upholds a pacifist constitution, should therefore face no legislative constraints regarding this kind of defence cooperation. He declined to comment on whether Ukraine is holding direct discussions with MHI, the primary contractor that produces Patriots under license in Japan.
Zelensky Has Already Expressed Interest
Earlier this month, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed interest in working with the Japanese company, telling reporters that MHI had demonstrated a very high standard in producing missiles for the Patriot system. Zelensky said Ukraine would welcome an exchange of experience, though he noted that this depends on the willingness of the Japanese side.
Raytheon Talks Also Advancing
Separately, Ukraine’s presidential office said Thursday that Zelensky met with a delegation from Raytheon, the US manufacturer of Patriot air defence systems. Zelensky welcomed Raytheon’s readiness to take the partnership to a higher level by co-producing Patriot interceptors with Ukraine.
