For a long time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking insistently for more Patriot systems considering them crucial for Ukraine's air defense system against Russia's relentless attacks.

Patriot systems are an advanced, multicomponent technology capable of intercepting aircraft, large drones, cruise missiles and, critically, ballistic missiles that travel at hypersonic speeds.

Supply and cost present significant challenges: Each Patriot system costs around a billion dollars, takes two years to produce, requires up to 90 trained personnel to operate, and depends on interceptor missiles that cost roughly $4 million each, with limited annual production.

So far, the US hasn't revealed how many systems it will supply as part of the new arms deal, or which European allies might contribute.

(This summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)