Ukraine Crisis Exposes Europe's Reliance on US Missile Defence Systems

Russia has intensified drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, putting Ukraine's air defence infrastructure under severe strain. President Zelenskyy has urged allied nations to accelerate weapons deliveries, with Patriot air defence systems identified as a critical requirement. The ongoing conflict has exposed Europe's heavy dependence on US-manufactured Patriot interceptors, revealing weaknesses in both production capacity and available stockpiles. Analysts and officials argue that Europe must develop stronger domestic missile defence capabilities to reduce this vulnerability. Building independent defence infrastructure is increasingly seen as essential to long-term European security.