Zelenskyy invited Mitsubishi to jointly produce Patriot missiles in Ukraine
10.07.2026The President of Ukraine, during his responses to journalists on July 10, 2026, clearly outlined his interest in a technological partnership with a Japanese concern, which already holds an American license to produce interceptors for missile defense systems.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries demonstrates one of the most successful examples of deploying full-scale production of missiles for Patriot after receiving the appropriate license from the United States. Ukraine is ready not only to adopt Japanese technologies, but also to offer its own combat experience gained during the repelling of massive missile attacks.
Mitsubishi's licensing model as an example for Ukraine
The Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries received permission to produce PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles back in 2023. Since then, the company in Hyogo Prefecture has increased its capacity to 120 missiles annually. This pace was made possible by full access to technical documentation, supply chains and software from the American concern Lockheed Martin. Zelensky directly called this experience “the most striking example” for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian side emphasizes that this is not a simple assembly of ready-made units. It is about creating a full cycle - from casting the hulls to integrating homing heads and communication systems. That is why the president emphasized the readiness to share the achievements of domestic enterprises in the field of electronic warfare and adapting missiles to real combat conditions.
Strategic prerequisites for cooperation between Ukraine and Japan
Relations between Kyiv and Tokyo took on a new dimension after the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, 2026. During a meeting with US President Donald Trump, the expansion of the practice of issuing licenses for the production of critical missile defense components was discussed. Japan, which has already gone this way, is seen as a key intermediary in the transfer of technology.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the State Space Agency held a series of closed consultations with Mitsubishi representatives back in the spring of 2026. According to sources in the Cabinet of Ministers, the Japanese side expressed its willingness to consider the format of a joint venture provided that investment security and intellectual property protection are guaranteed.
Technical challenges of production deployment
The production of missiles for the Patriot requires compliance with more than 4,800 technical specifications. Among the most difficult stages are the manufacture of solid-fuel engines, the integration of infrared homing heads and the calibration of communication systems with ground-based radars. Defense economists note that even with complete documentation, the launch of mass production takes from 24 to 36 months.
Ukrainian specialists are already working on the possibility of localizing individual nodes at the facilities of Yuzhmash and Artem. Fire Point, which is developing a budget analogue of Patriot, has received preliminary technical advice from European partners on reducing the cost of one interception to $850. The combination of Japanese technologies with Ukrainian developments can accelerate the emergence of a hybrid system by the end of 2027.
The economic dimension of partnership
According to the Ministry of Economy, the creation of a joint missile production facility in Ukraine could create up to 3,200 highly skilled jobs over the first five years. Mitsubishi's investment could reach $420 million if a long-term contract for 1,500 missiles is concluded. This would reduce dependence on finished product supplies from the United States and cut logistics costs by 35 percent.
The Japanese side is also interested in access to Ukrainian test sites for testing missiles in real conditions of high intensity combat operations. Such experience is unique and can be used to improve Japanese missile defense systems in the East Asian region.
International context and security guarantees
The decision to expand licensed production of Patriot was made against the backdrop of growing missile threats from North Korea and China. Japan is already modernizing its air defense forces, planning to have 1,200 PAC-3 missiles in service by 2028. Cooperation with Ukraine will allow Tokyo to obtain additional data on the effectiveness of the systems in confronting Russian-made ballistic missiles.
European partners, including Germany and the Netherlands, have expressed their willingness to contribute to the project's financing through the European Peace Facility. This creates an additional layer of guarantees for Japanese investors, who are traditionally wary of risks in active combat zones.
Prospects for technological exchange
Zelenskyy separately emphasized that Ukraine is ready to transfer to Japanese partners the experience of adapting Patriot systems to work in conditions of powerful electronic suppression. Ukrainian engineers have developed a number of software updates that increase the missiles' resistance to interference by 40 percent. These developments can be integrated into Japanese models within 18 months after signing the agreement.
In addition, the possibility of jointly developing a new modification of the missile with an increased interception range is being considered. Preliminary calculations show that such a missile will be able to hit targets at a distance of up to 160 kilometers, which will significantly expand the area of responsibility of Patriot batteries.
Conclusions and next steps
The statement of the President of Ukraine on July 10, 2026 opens a new page in bilateral relations with Japan. The success of the negotiations will depend on the speed of agreement on the legal framework, security guarantees and technology transfer mechanisms. If the parties reach agreements by the end of 2026, the first Ukrainian Patriot missiles of Japanese production may enter service as early as 2028.
This format of cooperation will allow Ukraine not only to strengthen its anti-missile shield, but also to become a full-fledged player in the defense technology market, offering partners unique combat experience and innovative solutions.
Sources
- Ukrinform, July 10, 2026.
- Statement by the President of Ukraine at the NATO summit in Ankara, July 8, 2026.
- Official website of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, report for the first quarter of 2026.
- Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, press release dated July 9, 2026.
- Fire Point analytical report, June 2026.
