The US considers providing Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system
16 May, 2024 The launch of the PAC-3 missile from the launcher of the Patriot SAM. Photo from open sources The United States considers providing Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system to support Europe's efforts to provide Ukraine with a sufficient number of air defense systems.
Bloomberg reported on this. Information on the U.S. government's new plans to transfer an additional air defense system was released after journalists talked to anonymous Pentagon officials. According to them, the United States is seeking to send Ukraine an additional battery to support Europe in its attempt to provide Ukraine with the necessary number of systems.
The M903 launcher of the Patriot PAC-3.
Photo from open sources
It is not yet clear when the system will be transferred and what kind of logistics package Ukraine will receive. The Patriot air defense system is more desirable for Ukraine, as it has a larger range of missiles to intercept air and ballistic targets. In addition, due to the wide distribution of the system in the world, the acquisition of missiles is more affordable than for SAMP/T systems.
Since the beginning of 2024, leading European manufacturers of air defense systems have announced an increase in production rates.
A Patriot launcher with 8 PAC-3 missiles (left) and another with 4 PAC-2 (GEM) missiles. Photo from the network
This is due both to the potential transfer of these systems to Ukraine and the strengthening of their own air defense by NATO countries.
Most countries have already joined the German air defense initiative, better known as Sky Shield, under which they are ordering air defense systems.
Militarnyi previously reported that France will send Ukraine a second batch of Aster 30 missiles for use with SAMP/T air defense systems.
The transfer of Aster 30 missiles was announced after the Italian government announced the transfer of an additional battery of the SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine.