New boost for Ukraine: Israel and allies bolster air defense
Ukraine may soon receive two additional Patriot air defence batteries, which will increase their number to ten, reports "The New York Times." According to analysts, additional air defence systems could be sent by Israel and either Germany or Greece.
According to "The New York Times," Ukraine may soon obtain two additional Patriot air defence batteries. One of them may come from Israel and the other from Germany or Greece. This is surprising, considering these countries' previous reluctance to provide such support, the report indicates.
More Patriots for Ukraine
Currently, Ukraine has eight Patriot batteries, of which six are fully operational, and two are undergoing maintenance. This number also includes an incomplete Dutch battery, which was not previously considered a full system.
Analysts estimate that Ukraine possesses three Patriot batteries from the USA, two from Germany, one from Germany and the Netherlands, one from Romania, and one (incomplete) from the Netherlands. Experts suggest that the new battery from Israel might arrive in Ukraine as early as the summer of 2025.
"The New York Times" notes that in April 2023, Israel announced plans to withdraw its Patriot systems, which paved the way for their potential transfer to Ukraine. The decision to send the withdrawn weapons to Ukraine is said to be a response to increasing missile and drone attacks from Russia, including a major attack on Kyiv carried out on April 24.
Patriot system
The MIM-104 Patriot is an American surface-to-air missile system that has gained worldwide recognition. Manufactured by Raytheon, it enjoys an excellent reputation in many countries. In Ukraine, according to local soldiers, it is one of the most effective weapons of its kind, enabling effective counteractions against Russian aircraft. The system has proven effective even against the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles, which Moscow has long promoted as particularly dangerous.
The effectiveness of the Patriot system depends on several factors, such as the type of target, the version of the radar, and the anti-aircraft missiles used. In basic versions, the system achieves a speed of about 3 Mach (approx. 3700 km/h), while in the PAC-2 and PAC-3 MSE variants, this speed increases to 5 Mach (approx. 6200 km/h). The Patriot system is capable of destroying targets up to about 160 km away, and thanks to the PAC-3 MSE, it can also counter ballistic missiles at a range of approximately 40 km.
