Netherlands and European allies seek to speed up Patriot missile deliveries to Ukraine
The Netherlands and its European partners are exploring ways to accelerate deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine as they move closer to approving a major European-funded package.
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius announced the development on November 2, describing it as another step toward securing the missiles.
"Welcome news: another step closer to approval of a large package of Patriot missiles for Ukraine, funded with European money and by European allies," she wrote on X.
She added that the Dutch Defense Ministry was working with partners to explore options for speeding up deliveries.
The announcement comes amid concerns over Ukraine's shortage of Patriot interceptors as Russia continues large-scale missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said Ukraine had received just 24 Patriot missiles from its strategic partners over the preceding 90 days.
The US State Department has also approved a potential $2.1 billion sale of 500 PAC-3 Patriot interceptors and related equipment to Ukraine, with funding expected from Canada, Germany and Norway.
However, Zelenskyy warned that deliveries under that arrangement could take several years.
The Netherlands has not specified the size of the proposed European-funded package or provided a delivery timeline.