Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a Lockheed Martin delegation on Oct. 19 to discuss continued defense cooperation, including support for the F-16 program and expanded air defense capabilities. Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. defense contractor for its assistance and highlighted the training of Ukrainian pilots and the reported use of F-16 aircraft against Russian Shahed drones. He said Ukraine was seeking to maintain the program, particularly ahead of winter and amid continued attacks. The president also called for closer cooperation on air defense, including the possible joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian authorities had discussed the proposal with U.S. officials and expressed interest in producing the systems under license. Orlando Sanchez Jr., president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, voiced readiness to strengthen cooperation and praised Ukraine’s efforts to defend its democracy and population. Lockheed Martin produces aircraft, defense systems and aerospace equipment, including F-16s, HIMARS, ATACMS and missiles used by Patriot systems. Post navigation Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Strikes Northwest of Port-Olry, Vanuatu