The Biden administration is finalising the transfer of Patriot air defence systems. Further, the plan will be submitted for the approval of Lloyd Austin, then — for the signature of Joe Biden. After that, the systems will be transferred to Ukraine as soon as possible.
The system is designed to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles and even some aircraft. Therefore, this system will make it possible to protect the airspace far from the intended Russian targets. By providing Ukraine with a Patriot system, the United States ensures the security of NATO member countries in Europe.
Today it will be the most potent air defence system ever delivered to Ukraine. Due to the size of this system, logistics is a real challenge (radar, computers, electrical equipment, a battle control station and about 8 launchers, each of which has 4 missiles). Plus, soldier training usually takes months. However, in the conditions of constant Russian shelling of Ukraine, all processes will take place in 3 times accelerated mode. According to officials, Ukrainian soldiers will be training at the US military base in the city of Grafenwoehr, Germany.
"And we're working to make sure that the Ukrainians get those systems as quickly as possible but also as effective as possible, making sure that they are trained on them, making sure they have the ability to maintain them, and all of that has to come together, and it is. We have a very deliberate process established by the secretary of defence Lloyd Austin in Ramstein, Germany, that meets regularly to make sure that the Ukrainians are getting what they need, when they need it," Antony Blinken.
Patriot systems already serve to protect Poland, Germany, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and dozens of US partners.
