Ukraine eyes $15 (£11) billion deal for US Patriot systems, considers Israeli alternatives
As Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated, Ukraine wants to purchase 10 Patriot air defence systems. Kyiv is ready to spend $15 (£11) billion; however, the availability of these weapons could present a problem. As military expert Anatoliy Khrapchynsky explains, Ukraine might source Patriots from other countries or consider alternatives.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed readiness to acquire 10 Patriot systems from the United States for $15 (£11) billion. Ukraine is determined to enhance its air defence, and some European partners are willing to provide financial support for this purchase.
Ukraine wants to buy Patriots
To implement this plan, however, Ukraine might consider purchasing air defence systems from other countries that already possess them. Khrapchynsky highlights Israel as a potential source, as it owns Arrow complexes - which are even more suitable for Ukraine than Patriots.
- On average, a Patriot battalion includes one command post, a radar, a power system, an unloading machine, and 6-8 launchers. This means the USA is capable of producing two systems per year. As for missiles, the USA can produce about 250 annually. Despite this, the USA has not increased its production capabilities - explained Khrapchynsky.
At this pace, acquiring 10 systems may require not only substantial financial investment but also a waiting period. Therefore, as quoted by the Ukrainian agency Unian, Anatoliy Khrapchynsky emphasises that Ukraine could obtain Patriot systems from countries that currently operate them. The expert also suggests Israel - a country that possesses Arrow systems. According to Khrapchynsky, "this system would be even more suitable."
- Ultimately, one of the threats from the Russian Federation consists of ballistic missiles, which require missile defence systems rather than air defence - explains Khrapchynsky. He adds that the Patriot can intercept threats at altitudes of 30-40 kilometres, while the Arrow 3 (used by Israel) can reach targets at altitudes up to 100 kilometres, which means "at the highest trajectory of flight, where the missile does not perform manoeuvres that complicate interception." Khrapchynsky notes, however, that "relations between Ukraine and Israel are complicated."
Patriot systems
It is worth noting that in the context of the Patriot system, one of the most important components is the AN/MPQ-65 radar, which has the capability to simultaneously track multiple targets within a radius exceeding 150 kilometres. Combined with PAC-2 or more advanced PAC-3 interceptors, the Patriot system can destroy incoming objects from a distance of several dozen kilometres. In the case of PAC-3 missiles, this range reaches up to 45 kilometres vertically and over 70 kilometres horizontally, allowing for a precise hit on the incoming missile's warhead. The PAC-3 missile follows the hit-to-kill principle, meaning that it does not explode near the target but instead strikes it directly with high kinetic energy.
