After the press conference held on March 21, 2023, Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon Press Secretary, revealed that the deployment of US Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine will occur at a swifter pace than initially anticipated.
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Launcher truck unit of Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile system. (Picture source Army Recognition)
In December 2022, the United States Defense Department (DoD) announced $1.85 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine, including a Patriot air defense battery and munitions.
In January 2023, the Netherlands approved the supply of two Patriot air defense system launchers and missiles. At the same time, the German government agreed to deliver one battery of the Patriot system to Ukraine.
The news of expediting Patriot deployments followed reports that the US will hasten the delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine by dispatching older M1A1 models instead of the more contemporary versions of M1A2.
This decision to accelerate tank and Patriot deliveries comes as Ukraine gears up for a spring offensive against Russian forces, largely centered on the more advanced systems provided by Western countries, such as tanks and other armored vehicles.
A contingent of 65 Ukrainian soldiers is set to conclude their training on the Patriot air defense missile system at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the next few days, citing information published by the multinational news channel CNN.
Following this, Ukrainian soldiers will travel to Europe for further training on two Patriot systems. Within the next week, three Patriot air defense systems will be delivered to Ukraine from the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The Patriot air defense missile system is a mobile, ground-based system designed to detect, track, and engage a variety of airborne threats, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles. It uses radar and other sensors to detect incoming threats and then launches interceptor missiles to destroy them in flight.
The Patriot air defense system is known for its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, and its ability to detect and engage targets at long ranges. It is also highly mobile, allowing it to be quickly relocated to respond to evolving threats.
In addition to its air defense capabilities, the Patriot system can also be used to provide early warning of incoming threats and to support the integration of other air defense systems into a larger air defense network. The Patriot system has been widely used in military operations around the world and has a proven track record of effectiveness.
According to open source information, the Patriot PAC-3 missile is designed to engage ballistic missiles at a range of up to 30 km and an altitude of 24.200 m.
Defense News March 2023
