Ukraine has been granted licenses to manufacture the U.S.-made Patriot missile system, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The announcement came following a meeting between Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

In a statement posted on social media platform X on Friday, Zelensky confirmed that “concrete agreements” were reached concerning the licensing arrangements. He quoted Trump as saying he had made a “final decision” to provide Ukraine with the necessary authorizations to produce the air-defense missiles independently.

The Patriot system is a crucial component of Ukraine’s efforts to defend against incoming projectiles amid ongoing conflict with Russia. Until now, Ukraine has relied on imports of the missile system from the United States and allied countries.

Currently, the Patriot missile production line exists predominantly in the United States, Japan, Germany, and Poland. The new license will allow Ukraine to locally manufacture the advanced surface-to-air missile system, potentially enhancing the country’s air defense capabilities and reducing dependency on foreign supplies.

The development reflects growing international support to bolster Ukraine’s military infrastructure amid prolonged hostilities. However, detailed terms of the licensing agreement and timelines for production commencement were not disclosed.

The decision underscores a significant shift in defense cooperation, enabling Kyiv to play a more active role in maintaining its own defense systems amid security challenges.