Ukraine will not see the $2.1 billion deal for 500 PAC-3 MSE Patriot missiles delivered until after 2030, sources familiar with the matter tell Radio Svobodas Alex Raupoglu, with no agreement yet on joint production in Ukraine as well. The Pentagon is still considering whether to license Ukraine to manufacture the missiles itself, and this long-term purchase announcement risks overshadowing the more urgent need, giving Ukraine the interceptors it needs now rather than years down the line. Ukraine wants 500 PAC-3 missiles for its Patriot systems delivered much sooner, with Zelensky pushing the US to speed things up after the State Department approved the purchase but set delivery years. Zelensky wants the missiles in hand in the winter of 2026 to 2027, when Ukraine expects to need stronger defenses against Russian ballistic attacks, noting that Russia has hit "critical" energy infrastructure targets more than 30 times in the last two weeks of October alone. Ukraine has asked for 100 interceptors a month, and Zelensky says the partners already have enough PAC-3 missiles in stock to deliver now while rebuilding their supply through new production later.