Patriot Shortfall Spurs Urgent NATO Action as Ukraine Bets on Drones for Winter
At the 36th Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Ukraine urged allies to immediately release 300 Patriot interceptors from existing stockpiles and 500 air‑to‑air missiles, warning Russia will exploit gaps as winter attacks loom. Kyiv is contracting about 1,000 Patriot missiles with aid, but most deliveries won’t arrive until future years, while Germany pledged PAC-2 missiles and the UK committed £100 million for winter air defense. The meeting underscored a €23 billion ($27 billion) defense funding gap to sustain drone‑driven battlefield gains as Russia plans up to 300,000 more troops; NATO officials urged governments to fill the shortfall, and Kyiv said it will rely on swift tech and drones to counter a larger foe and protect civilians this winter.