Ukraine needs more Patriot missile systems. Its cities are being attacked by ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. It would also be good to make Russian planes scared of coming even close to the air defence zone of Ukraine.
The MIM-104 Patriot is one of the best air defence systems in the world. Image credit: Sgt. Alexandra Shea via Wikimedia
After the NATO summit in Brussels, where Ukraine has reminded its allies that it needs more weapons and ammunition, information about intensive searches for Patriot systems appeared. The MIM-104 Patriot is considered to be pretty much the best option for air defence for Ukraine. These systems can efficiently deal with cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft. The Patriot can even shoot down ballistic missiles and has some wins against hypersonic weapons too.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the United Kingdom is now joining the global search for Patriot missile systems that could be transferred to Ukraine. The Patriot is an American air defence system in service since 1981, but there aren’t enough of them in Ukraine or, it seems, even its Western allies.
Russia is constantly attacking the cities of Ukraine with all sorts of weapons, so Ukraine’s allies will see what they can do to acquire more Patriot systems to close the sky over Ukraine. Manufacturing new systems would simply take too long, which means that the UK will be talking to other countries that have bought Patriot systems for their own protection.
The user list of the MIM-104 Patriot includes Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UAE, the United States and, of course, Ukraine.
Kułeba said he had spoken with UK Foreign Minister David Cameron, who confirmed that the country would look for air defence systems for Ukraine. Germany is already involved in the Patriot search. It won’t be easy though.
Saudi Arabia could be a Patriot donor with 18-25 batteries of these systems (including PAC-2 and PAC-3 versions) in their possession, but Germany once blocked the sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Riyadh, and it is now uncertain whether Saudi Arabia will agree to cooperate with Germany on the Patriot issue. Perhaps Saudi Arabia will talk with the United Kingdom, with which it maintains more friendly connections in the field of military equipment.
The Patriot has been operating in Ukraine since April 2023. These air defence systems were transferred to Ukraine by Germany, the Netherlands and the US. The Patriot has proven time and time again to be one of the most effective air defence systems on Earth. It shot down several ballistic missiles, which is never easy to do. Even the downing of the hypersonic Zircon missiles is credited to the Patriot.
Depending on the version, the Patriot can hit targets at a distance of up to 160 km. PAC-3 can also destroy modern ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 35 km.
Written by Povilas M.
Source: Tech.wp.pl