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U.S. President Donald Trump is considering allowing American defense companies to license missile production in Europe and Ukraine, according to Bloomberg.
The move is aimed at helping allies expand the production of air defense interceptors needed to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks. Currently, many of these systems and missiles can only be manufactured in the United States.
Sources familiar with discussions at the G7 summit said Trump told allies he would review requests for production licenses, particularly as U.S. stockpiles have been strained by recent military operations in the Middle East.
“They would like to be able to do that. We’ll take a look at it,” Trump told reporters when asked about the proposal.
The issue was also discussed as part of broader efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry. Following the G7 summit, participating countries agreed to explore licensing arrangements that could allow Ukraine to manufacture not only air defense systems but also long-range weapons domestically.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently discussed defense production and air defense cooperation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, including the possibility of obtaining U.S. licenses for local production. Zelenskyy also held talks with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, describing the conversation as one that “could change many things.”
