In an interview with TSN, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed for the first time how many interceptor missiles Ukraine will receive for the Patriot air defense system under a $3.7 billion contract with U.S. defense company Raytheon, signed on April 14, 2026.
Under this contract, Ukraine is set to receive 600 PAC-2 GEM-T anti-aircraft missiles. Production will take place in Germany through COMLOG, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, with the package for Ukraine funded by Berlin.
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However, it will not be possible to effectively shoot down Russian ballistic missiles with these PAC-2 GEM-T missiles, as the even scarcer PAC-3 MSE missiles do. The fact is that although the GEM-T was developed as an anti-aircraft missile capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, its capabilities against ballistic missiles are extremely limited.
One reason is the type of interception. The PAC-3 MSE anti-aircraft missile uses "hit-to-kill" technology, in which the missile strikes the target directly and physically destroys it along with its warhead. The PAC-2 GEM-T, on the other hand, intercepts targets by detonating near them and destroying them with shrapnel.
A ballistic missile may deviate from its course due to damage. However, its warhead will most likely detonate upon impact with the ground. For Russians firing ballistic missiles at cities, accuracy is not a key priority.
However, despite its inability to effectively intercept ballistic missiles, the PAC-2 GEM-T is capable of engaging aerodynamic targets at ranges of up to 160 km. These missiles that kept russian aircraft at a considerable distance from the front lines when Ukraine had just received the Patriot air defense system and was employing the "wandering Patriot" tactic.
Delivery timelines remain unclear. Although COMLOG is scheduled to begin operations as early as 2026, the first missiles produced at the facility are not expected to be delivered to Germany until 2028. It is currently unknown whether Ukraine will receive priority deliveries before then, or whether such a possibility even exists.
In addition, fulfilling the contract will take a considerable amount of time, as the German production facility is projected to have a capacity of 180 missiles per year. Overall, the contract for 600 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles strengthens air defense capabilities over the coming years rather than in the short term.
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