According to two US sources and a senior administration official, the Biden administration is putting the last touches on plans to transfer the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, which could be revealed soon this week.
Before being forwarded to President Joe Biden for approval, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin must still approve the Pentagon’s plan. The three officials told CNN that they anticipate support.
Since it has been the target of a barrage of a Russian missile and drone attacks that have destroyed crucial infrastructure all over the country, Ukraine has been pleading with the US to send the cutting-edge long-range air defense system that is highly effective at intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles. According to officials, it will assist in safeguarding airspace for NATO nations in eastern Europe and would be the most effective long-range defensive missile system supplied to the country.
A typical Patriot battery contains a radar system that detects and tracks targets, computers, power-producing apparatus, an engagement control station, and up to eight launchers, each containing four ready-to-fire missiles. It is still being determined how many missile launchers will be sent.
According to officials, the Patriots are anticipated to ship fast after the blueprints are completed in the upcoming days. Ukrainians will be taught to use them at a US Army installation in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Ukraine has requested the technology for months, but delivering and running it will logistically take a lot of work. Despite these challenges, “the reality of what is unfolding on the ground”—in this case, the ongoing intensive Russian missile barrages—led the administration to make a choice, a senior administration official told CNN.
Patriot missile batteries need far larger crews than smaller air defense systems; they need dozens of people to operate them properly. Under the pressure of nearly daily aerial attacks from Russia, the United States will soon complete the training for Patriot missile batteries, which typically takes several months.
It is widely acknowledged that the system is one of the most effective long-range weapons for protecting airspace from incoming ballistic and cruise missiles and some aircraft types. It has the potential to fire down Russian missiles and planes that are far from their intended targets inside Ukraine thanks to its long-range and high-altitude capabilities.
Before this, the US provided Patriot batteries to Poland and other NATO partners to help them improve their defenses. It also sent other military systems to Ukraine to help defend against the Russian invasion.
