New Pentagon contracts won’t help Ukraine with Patriots — expert

New Pentagon contracts won’t help Ukraine with Patriots — expert Nikolay Novik, an expert at the Higher School of Economics, says that the actual increase in output will occur in 2027-2028, not in the coming monthsMOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Kiev should not count on the US expanding production of the Patriot and THAAD interceptor missiles, Nikolay Novik, an expert at the Institute for Global Military Economics and Strategy at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, told TASS, adding that agreements concluded by the Pentagon will not lead to increased deliveries to Ukraine in the coming months, which is why the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program remains the primary mechanism for Kiev to obtain them. The Pentagon previously announced the signing of framework agreements with Northrop Grumman totaling $3 bln. The execution of these contracts will eventually allow for an around threefold increase in the production volume of the PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot systems and a fourfold rise for THAAD system components. "The seven-year timeframe of new contracts means that the actual increase in output will occur in 2027-2028, not in the coming months. Therefore, the PURL mechanism, which handles approximately 95% of the supplied missiles, remains the only effective channel for Ukraine. Over the year the program has been in operation, 29 countries have contributed $6.7 bln to it," the expert said. For Ukraine, the impact of the concluded agreements is indirectly rather than directly positive, he noted. US President Donald Trump promised Vladimir Zelensky a license to manufacture Patriot interceptors back in July but effectively abandoned the idea on July 31, stating that no such agreement existed, and that the technology itself was too valuable to transfer, Novik said. "At the same time, Kiev will not receive the 300 missiles it requested to bolster air defenses during the winter heating season," he added. The Pentagon’s decision is driven primarily by the need to replenish its own weapons stockpiles, the expert noted. "The Pentagon and Northrop Grumman have entered into seven-year framework agreements worth $3 bln, $2 bln of which will go toward accelerating the production of solid-fuel motors for the Patriot system’s PAC-3 missiles, while the remaining $1 bln will be used to manufacture THAAD components. The company will become the second supplier of solid-fuel motors for the PAC-3 alongside L3Harris, thereby reducing a long-standing reliance on a single manufacturer," he explained. This decision is due to the depletion of US arsenals, Novik said. "The military conflict with Iran has already resulted in the expenditure of about two-thirds of the stocks of the latest Patriot variants, leaving the US with around 800 such missiles," he said. The agreements reached enhance the resilience of the US defense industry and lay the groundwork for increasing the supply of interceptor missiles in the medium term, the expert emphasized. "However, in themselves, they do not automatically translate into increased military aid to Kiev. If the Trump administration maintains its current approach, replenishing its own stockpiles and fulfilling existing commitments to allies will most likely remain the priority for the United States, while the volume of supplies to Ukraine will continue to be determined by political decisions in Washington rather than solely by production capabilities," he concluded. TagsUkraineDonald TrumpRussia ready for negotiations on Ukraine with mature approach from West — MFAMikhail Galuzin added that Moscow has "repeatedly demonstrated this"Read moreRussia's An-12 military transport plane makes emergency landing over engine failureRead moreRussian strike drones preparing ground for offensive on Druzhkovka in DPR — expertRussian UAV operators are also conducting deep reconnaissance in the Dnepropetrovsk RegionRead moreUkrainian officials embezzled 20%-36% of all Western financial aid — Russian diplomatCorruption scandals at various sectors of economy and state governance are a regular occurrence in UkraineRead moreZelensky convenes security council to discuss winter preparednessAccording to TASS calculations, by the middle of the year, the country had only managed to accumulate about 7 billion cubic meters of gasRead moreIN BRIEF: SVR statements on EU plans for Ukrainian soil, Kiev’s EU membership prospectsThe Russian Foreign Intelligence Service stressed that European bureaucrats intend to mislead the Ukrainian people and use them as "cannon fodder" in their confrontation with RussiaRead moreKhodorkovsky meets family in Berlin, to tell media about his plans December 22German politicians welcomed Khodorkovsky’s pardoningRead moreNumber of UAVs shot down while flying toward Moscow has reached fourThe total number of UAVs shot down flying toward the capital since the start of the day has reached fourRead moreUkraine’s energy sector faces 650 mln euros shortfall ahead of difficult winter — PMSergey Koretsky also said that the Ukraine Energy Support Fund has raised over 2 bln euros, which is insufficientRead moreHouthis say eight Saudi tankers change course amid naval blockadeThe Houthis added that they would continue enforcing the naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacking its vessels wherever possibleRead moreRussia takes control of nearly 600 sq km of land in special military op zone in JulyExpert Andrey Marochko said that 32 settlements came under control of Russian forces over the monthRead moreTrump says won't let Iran charge toll for Hormuz passageUSA will charge that, President Donald Trump saidRead moreLiberation of Svetloye creates springboard for offensive on Dobropolye — Russian soldierAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement of Svetloye in the Donetsk People’s Republic was liberated on July 29Read moreRussian synchronized swimmers win their first gold at European Aquatics ChampionshipsThis is the seventh medal at this tournament for Russian athletesRead moreUS military seeks ‘unconventional’ options to punish Iran — TVAccording to the report, the request highlights the limited and potentially politically unpalatable options available to the Washington administration in dealing with IranRead moreKim reports billions in losses for foreign entrepreneurs due to attacks on WildberriesTerrorist attacks on Wildberries warehouses constitute force majeure events, the founder of Wildberries and head of RWB saidRead moreFSB foils terrorist attack near prosecutor's office in PyatigorskThe attack was planned by a 2001-born citizen of a Central Asian country and a follower of an international terrorist organization banned in RussiaRead moreBank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate for December 31 - January 9 to 78.23 rublesThe regulator raised the official euro exchange rate by 62 kopecks to 92.0938 rublesRead moreKazakhstan to hold drills with troop redeployment in August, SeptemberThe Batyl Toitarys 2026 exercise is comprehensive in nature and encompasses training grounds across the countryRead morePutin arrives in KrasnoyarskThe head of state arrived at the campus of the Siberian Federal University to participate in the closing ceremony of the All-Russian competition "Big Break"Read moreIndia to expand export basket to Russia by end of fiscal year — FIEOGrowing opportunities are emerging in processed and ready-to-eat foods, beverages, tea, coffee, spicesRead moreRussian drone operators hit gas station used by Ukrainian army in KramatorskThe station was used in the interests of the Ukrainian army, the Russian defense ministry saidRead moreTurkish intel chief, Hamas leader discuss roadmap for second stage of Gaza peace planThe sides also discussed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza StripRead moreRussia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan holds anti-sabotage drillsThe drills involved about 30 personnelRead moreWhat we know about drone attack on Gelendzhik, resulting in six deathsEmergency and special services are working at the crash sitesRead moreFACTBOX: Danube River's low water level and effect on nuke plants in Hungary, RomaniaDue to a severe drought, the Danube's water level has dropped to a 30-year low of 1,700 cubic meters per secondRead moreRussian oil supplies to India in July reach highest level since 2022According to vessel-tracking data from Kpler, India imported just over 5 million bpd of crude oil in July, up slightly from JuneRead moreNATO, EU accomplice to terrorist activity by supporting Ukraine — ZakharovaThe diplomat made the statement while commenting on the Ukrainian strike on a beach in Arkhipo-Osipovka near GelendzhikRead moreQatar, Egypt, Turkey condemn Israel’s ceasefire violations in GazaThe mediators particularly condemned the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, and the resulting civilian casualtiesRead moreCasualties, fire at Wildberries facility: aftermath of drone attacks on Russian regionsOn-duty air defense systems downed a total of 131 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over 11 Russian regionsRead moreIN BRIEF: Seven people killed in drone attack on Gelendzhik, three children among themThe regional emergency center said 40 people were injuredRead moreYakutia and China's Provinces session due at Northern Sustainable Development ForumThe discussion will focus on strengthening Russian-Chinese ties and on regional cooperation where Yakutia and China's provinces are forming new growth pointsRead moreTransport Ministry works on alternative logistics due to attacks on vessels in Sea of AzovThe ministry noted that the headquarters aims to protect the transport industry and economic interestsRead moreRussia's antimonopoly watchdog opens antitrust case against AppleThe watchdog stated that Apple had failed to comply with an earlier warning regarding the pre-installation of a national messenger and a Russian application store on iOS devicesRead morePress review: Putin cites global economic shift as OPEC+ keeps steady pace of oil outputTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 8thRead moreTrump says US and Iran in talks, even if Tehran denies itThe US president said the sides are "talking of a solution to a problem" that Tehran have causedRead moreRussian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operationKonashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisonerRead moreUkrainian army trying to hush up internal conflict over Drapaty appointment — officialVladimir Vasilenko previously said that Drapaty’s appointment as the Ukrainian army commander-in-chief exacerbated disagreements among service members in Ukraine’s southern group of forcesRead moreTalks with Ukraine on production of Patriot systems progressing — US envoy to NATOMatthew Whitaker believes the process is moving forwardRead moreMedvedev says NATO abused UN mandate in Libya“We are not satisfied with the implementation of Resolution 1973”, the president saidRead moreRussia expects Kazakh media to objectively report on root causes of Ukraine conflictAccording to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, the Nazi regime in Kiev has gone so far as to blatantly attack the economic interests of Russia and KazakhstanRead moreRussian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.7 in JulyThe study notes that total new sales rose for the second consecutive month in July, and the pace of growth accelerated to the highest since May 2025Read moreTwenty-one people hospitalized after being injured in Ukrainian UAV attack on GelendzhikThe Health Ministry added that 19 people received outpatient medical careRead moreRussian Forces intercept rare Portuguese Tekever AR3 recon droneThe UAV has been transferred to a research institute, where specialists will study its design, technical specifications, and engineering solutionsRead moreRussian divers win silver at 2026 European Aquatics ChampionshipsRussia’s silver medalists are Evgenii Kuznetsov and Nikita Shleikher, with their eventual result of 408.99 pointsRead moreRussia warns Ireland of maritime piracy attempts’ possible consequences — ambassadorIreland’s recently adopted laws stipulate that the army may board vessels under the pretext of combating violations of the anti-Russian sanctions’ regimeRead morePutin calls for ensuring ‘capacity reserve’ when upgrading Eastern polygon projectThe head of state drew attention to the fact that when constructing new facilities, one must not forget about the existing infrastructure and maintaining it in standard condition. He stated that this work "has problem areas"Read moreAmur tiger cubs transferred by Russia to Kazakhstan could be released into wild in yearThe cubs need to reach the age of 18 months, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology saysRead moreKazakhstan calls for establishing joint information verification center with RussiaThe Kazakh presidential administration stressed that relations between Kazakhstan and Russia should reach a high level in the media sphereRead moreCrimean Bridge temporarily closed, air raid alarm sounded – anti-crisis centerThe operational headquarters of the republic urged everyone to leave this facilityRead moreCeuta authorities report 88 deaths amid mass influx of migrants — news agencyOn August 2, the Spanish government’s press office reported 72 fatalities, and the Moroccan authorities reported 11 deathsRead moreUkrainian army carries out over 1,600 attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region in past weekFourteen local residents were killed and over 100 were injuredRead moreBurevestnik’s range outstrips all other known missile systems — Putin"It has high precision and hits its targets in designated time," Russian leader addedRead moreUS and Iran discuss resumption of shipping in Strait of Hormuz by August 4, Trump saysThe US president mentioned complete opening of the straitRead moreZelensky seeks to drag Muslim world into conflict in Ukraine through Umerov’s appointmentRussian lawmaker Leonid Ivlev recalled that Rustem Umerov is a Crimean Tatar and Kiev has been unsuccessfully seeking to use them for its purposes for decadesRead moreMongolia imports 95% of petroleum products from Russia as of end of 2025 — ministryThe remainder is imported from ChinaRead moreWestern arms supplies to Kiev only push peace further away — Italian MPDanilo Della Valle said the conflict is becoming more and more dangerous with each passing dayRead moreTrump claims US fully controls Strait of HormuzThe US president said that nothing gets through to Iran, unless the United States wants it toRead moreSix people injured by mines remotely planted by Ukraine in Energodar over dayMayor Maxim Pukhov said that medical workers are providing all necessary assistance to the victimsRead moreOver 40,000 people in Donbas suffer at hands of Ukrainian army since 2014 — ombudspersonRussian human rights ombudsperson Yana Lantratova drew attention to Ukraine’s gross violation of international humanitarian lawRead moreRussia’s holdings of US Treasuries remain at $29 mln in December 2025Of the total Russian holdings in December, $21 mln was invested in long-term government bonds and $8 mln in short-term securitiesRead moreRussia ready for negotiations on Ukraine with mature approach from West — MFAMikhail Galuzin added that Moscow has "repeatedly demonstrated this"Read moreMoscow never rejected constructive ideas on Ukrainian settlement — diplomatMikhail Galuzin says the Ukrainian side interrupted the negotiations and even cancelled them on its behalfRead moreSevmash Shipyard to deliver two vessels to Russian Navy by year end — CEOMikhail Budnichenko added that the Project 885M nuclear-powered submarine Perm will complete all stages of tests this yearRead moreMercenaries from six countries fighting alongside Ukraine in Kharkov Region — authoritiesAccording to the official, some of the mercenaries, primarily those from NATO countries, pose themselves as motivated and experienced fightersRead moreEU sanctions hurt Europe more than Belarus and Russia — SzijjartoThe Hungarian Foreign Minister said that even among his ministerial colleagues in Europe there is a clear opinion that the sanctions are not working as plannedRead moreNew car sales in Russia up by 10% yoy in January-July reaching 815,100 units — ministryThe domestically produced car market exceeded 516,000 units during the reporting periodRead moreNadezhda crew evacuate to Novorossiysk after Ukraine’s drone attackThere were 22 crew members on boardRead moreUkrainian drones injure four people on Turkish vessel heading to Russia — paperThe boat was carrying fresh vegetables and fruitsRead morePress review: US delays Iran action as Washington returns to Moscow-Kiev talksTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 3rdRead moreRussia at important point of completing special op — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman addressed volunteers of the United Russia Young Guard and the Volunteer Company departing to the special military operation zoneRead moreDrapaty’s appointment exacerbates disagreements in Ukrainian army — officialVladimi Vasilenko added that Mikhail Drapaty earned a reputation among the fighters as a "meat general"Read moreZelensky dismisses Ukrainian ambassador to USA new ambassador has not yet been appointedRead moreNATO command responsible for coordinating arms supplies to Kiev remains in US handsThe process of transferring command positions in Europe to European generals did not affect this command structure of the allianceRead moreRussia would welcome Kazakhstan’s accession to GFCN network — presidential administrationAccording to the statement, Russian and Kazakh media are ideologically close and largely perform common tasksRead moreUkraine loses about 1,295 troops in special military operation zone in past dayUnits of Russia's Battlegroup East inflicted the heaviest losses on the enemy in their area of responsibilityRead moreFirst serial-produced, fully import-substituted MC-21 aircraft completes its maiden flightThe aircraft was piloted by a crew of experienced test pilotsRead moreHamas urges mediators to push Israel to agree to ceasefire in GazaAccording to the source, the movement insists on "direct intervention" by mediators to compel Israel to fully halt the fightingRead moreKiev sent forcibly mobilized soldiers for assaults in Kharkov Region — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, over the past week, Ukrainian troops attempted to stabilize the front line and conducted reconnaissance-in-force operations, using "low-skilled personnel"Read moreRussian diplomat points to Ukraine’s attacks on Zaporozhye NPPThe Russian charge d'affaires outlined Moscow’s official position on Ukraine’s attacks against civilian facilities and infrastructure in RussiaRead moreTASS head lauds Russia, Kazakh media role in building trust between two nationsAndrey Kondrashov recalled that the Russian-Kazakh Media Forum had been established three years agoRead moreUkrainian drone kills one, wounds two people in car near BelgorodThe incident ocurred in the settlement of OktyabrskyRead moreRussia may use Su-34 bomber to develop one-seat attack aircraftA new attack aircraft will have the same engines as the Su-34Read moreFour Zaporozhye nuclear plant workers injured by Ukrainian mine blast — ZNPPAccording to the statement, any civilian could become a victim of remote miningRead moreRussia’s latest rocket and artillery systems All of Russia’s missile formations are expected to be rearmed with the latest rocket and artillery systems by 2020Read moreFACTBOX: What we know about passenger train derailment in Russia’s Ulyanovsk RegionAccording to available information, the eight-car train was carrying 415 passengersRead moreKiev putting cart before horse by proposing Russian, Ukrainian leaders’ meeting — KremlinThe complexities of the Ukraine settlement process make it impossible to achieve "immediate breakthroughs," Dmitry Peskov notedRead moreKremlin urges not to believe speculation about alleged sanctions against Russian banksDmitry Peskov also recalled that representatives of the SWIFT system had previously said that it was virtually impossible to disconnect Russia from itRead moreRussia driving Ukraine from its positions in Veliky Burluk direction — administration headAccording to preliminary information, the Kiev regime will tighten mobilization in Kharkov and the Kharkov Region to replenish the shortage of personnel in the armed formations, Vitaly Ganchev saidRead moreTwo employees of ZNPP injured by Ukrainian mine remain in serious conditionTwo more employees received minor woundsRead moreSaudi Arabia warns US against further escalating Iran war — agencySaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that further escalation could severely damage the global economy while failing to achieve its intended objectivesRead moreSeventeen injured in Ukrainian drone attack on Gelendzhik hospitalizedFour of the injured, among them two children, are in serious conditionRead moreBoard of Peace seeks de-escalation in Gaza following latest series of strikes — envoyNickolay Mladenov emphasized that both sides, Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, are responsible for fulfilling the terms of the peace agreementRead moreEuropean leaders rule out possibility of Kiev joining EU in future — Russian intel agencyThe intelligence service stated that European bureaucrats were intent on continuing to mislead the Ukrainian people, seeking to use them as ‘cannon fodder’ in the confrontation with RussiaRead moreUkraine's energy system fragmented, refineries destroyed — former Zelensky spokespersonAccording to Yulia Mendel, 37 gas stations of the Naftogaz group were targetedRead moreNo NATO-Kiev agreement on production of Patriot systems by winter — US envoy to NATOMatthew Whitaker said that Washington is "going to do first things first"Read moreNegotiations are Iran’s chance to avoid ‘decapitation’ — TrumpAccording to the US president, Washington could increase the scale of attacksRead moreIran drops plans to strike Ukraine after its apology for attack on ship — TVAccording to Press TV, Mohsen Rezaee, a military adviser to the Iranian supreme leader, earlier reported plans to attack three facilities on Ukrainian territoryRead moreRussian-Kazakh Media Forum discusses role of media in building trust between nationsIts plenary session focused on the strategic role of the mass media in countering disinformation and consolidating bilateral tiesRead morePentagon concludes agreements worth $3 billion to increase interceptor production volumesThe department emphasized that this will in the future help triple production volumes of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot and quadruple those for THAAD systemsRead moreUS still has resources to fuel Ukraine conflict — Russian diplomatRodion Miroshnik also pointed out that, at present, keeping the conflict in Ukraine going benefits WashingtonRead more