Breaking News: Ukraine to get US Patriot air defense missile system deployed in Israel and one from Germany or Greece.

On May 4, 2025, The New York Times revealed that Ukraine is set to receive two additional Patriot air-defense missile systems as part of an expanding effort by Western allies to bolster its defenses against intensified Russian missile and drone strikes. Citing information from The New York Times, the first system—originally deployed by the United States in Israel—will be transferred to Ukraine after undergoing refurbishment. Simultaneously, NATO allies are in discussions to provide a second Patriot battery, with Germany and Greece emerging as the leading candidates to supply this additional system. This dual transfer plan represents a significant reinforcement of Ukraine’s long-range air defense capabilities at a critical stage in the war.
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U.S. soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade showcase a Patriot Missile Defense System to Israeli Air Force officers—Brig. Gen. Gilad Biran, Lt. Col. Idan Nir, and Lt. Col. Tal Kaduri—during their visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, on May 1, 2023. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

Originally deployed in Israel to protect U.S. interests in the Middle East, the Patriot air defense missile system’s relocation to Europe reflects a strategic realignment in U.S. military support. The transfer was quietly arranged in September 2024 by the Biden administration, prior to the U.S. presidential election won by Donald Trump. While the National Security Council refrained from providing specific operational details, the Department of Defense confirmed that the system is being delivered as part of previously authorized military assistance packages, and will be shipped once refurbishment is complete.

In tandem with this move, NATO allies are now actively discussing the logistics of transferring another Patriot battery to Ukraine, with Germany and Greece emerging as potential donors. These discussions gained urgency following the April 24, 2025, missile strike on Kyiv, the deadliest attack on the capital since the summer of 2024, which underscored Ukraine’s pressing need for robust air defenses to shield civilian and critical infrastructure.

Since 2023, Ukraine has urged its Western partners to provide at least seven Patriot batteries to build a multi-layered missile defense shield. By May 2025, Ukraine has received eight Patriot systems, including one from the United States, three from Germany, one co-delivered by the Netherlands and Germany, one from Romania, and two from undisclosed allied sources. Six of these are currently operational, while two are undergoing routine maintenance and system upgrades. With the addition of the system from Israel, Ukraine’s operational total will rise to nine, and a tenth could follow if Germany or Greece finalize their commitments.

For the general public unfamiliar with military systems, the Patriot air defense missile system—short for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target—is a highly advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) platform developed by Raytheon Technologies. It is designed to detect, track, and intercept a wide range of airborne threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced enemy aircraft. Originally introduced in the early 1980s, the Patriot system has become the backbone of long-range air defense for the United States and many NATO members.

At the core of the Patriot system is its modular, mobile configuration, which allows it to be rapidly deployed in various operational theaters. A typical Patriot battery consists of several key components: the AN/MPQ-65 radar, which provides 360-degree surveillance and target acquisition; an Engagement Control Station (ECS) for threat evaluation and weapon assignment; and launcher stations, each capable of carrying multiple interceptor missiles.

The Patriot air defense missile system has evolved through multiple upgrades. The earlier versions, such as PAC-1 and PAC-2, relied on fragmentation warheads and proximity fuses to destroy targets. These configurations used semi-active radar guidance, where the missile homes in on radar energy reflected off the target. They were effective primarily against aircraft and some missile types.

However, Ukraine’s current inventory largely includes the PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3) variant, which represents a leap in missile defense technology. PAC-3 interceptors use hit-to-kill technology, designed to destroy incoming threats by directly colliding with them, rather than detonating nearby. This method increases lethality while minimizing the risk of collateral damage. The PAC-3 also offers higher missile density per launcher—up to 16 PAC-3 missiles per canister, compared to four for the older PAC-2. Its advanced radar allows for the simultaneous tracking of more than 100 potential targets, with interception ranges exceeding 35 kilometers for ballistic threats and up to 160 kilometers for aircraft, depending on conditions and missile variant.

Ukraine has emphasized the game-changing effect of the Patriot system on its defense posture. According to Ukrainian military sources, Patriot batteries have successfully intercepted numerous Russian threats, including ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and even the high-speed Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, a hypersonic missile Russia once claimed was impossible to intercept. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat has repeatedly credited the Patriot with providing essential protection for urban centers like Kyiv and for limiting Russia’s ability to strike with impunity deep into Ukrainian territory.

Beyond their operational value, Patriot systems serve a broader strategic role. Their presence deters high-value missile attacks and reassures the Ukrainian population and Western allies of NATO's ongoing commitment. The relocation of a Patriot system from Israel—long regarded as a critical defense asset in a volatile region—signals just how seriously the U.S. and its partners are taking Ukraine’s defensive needs.

As Ukraine braces for further Russian escalation, the expanded deployment of the Patriot air defense missile system reflects a critical shift in Western military strategy—one that places increasingly sophisticated defensive assets directly on the frontline of Europe’s most consequential conflict. The Patriot, with its blend of precision, mobility, and technological sophistication, is not just a shield—it is now a symbol of resilience and alliance in Ukraine’s ongoing fight for sovereignty.