President Biden has approved the deployment of another Patriot missile system to Ukraine in response to the ongoing Russian attacks on the country’s cities, infrastructure, and electrical grid. This decision, made after a series of high-level meetings and internal debates, aims to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses without compromising U.S. combat readiness.
The new Patriot system, the second sent to Ukraine by the United States, will come from Poland, where it has been protecting American troops. It is considered one of the best air-defense weapons in the U.S. arsenal, with powerful radar systems and mobile launchers that can fire missiles at incoming threats.
The deployment of the Patriot system to Ukraine’s front lines is expected in the next few days, pending any necessary maintenance or modifications. The scarcity of these systems in the U.S. arsenal has made the decision to send one to Ukraine a strategic one, as Pentagon officials carefully assess which global crisis requires their presence most to defend U.S. troops, bases, and allies.
With tensions rising in various regions, including the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula, the demand for air defenses like the Patriot system has been intense. Pentagon officials have been reluctant to move these critical systems from their current locations, but have appealed to European allies to transfer their systems to Ukraine.
The deployment of another U.S. Patriot system to Ukraine is hoped to encourage allies to do the same. Germany and the Netherlands have already responded to Ukraine’s plea for more Patriots, with negotiations underway for further deployments.
As Ukraine continues to face Russian attacks on its infrastructure and electrical grid, the need for air defenses like the Patriot system is crucial. The cost of supplying Ukraine with another Patriot system is estimated at $1.1 billion, highlighting the significant investment in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The issue of air defense systems, including the Patriot, will be a topic of discussion at upcoming NATO and allied defense meetings in Belgium. The deployment of the Patriot system underscores the ongoing commitment of the United States and its allies to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
