Biden redirects American defence systems to bolster Ukraine
9:37 AM EDT, June 20, 2024
The White House plans to halt all open orders for Patriot systems and interceptor missiles to redirect all deliveries to Ukraine, reports the British newspaper "Financial Times."
The decision by the Joe Biden administration, as reported by "FT," is expected to be announced on Thursday. The British newspaper recalls that the US President declared during the G7 summit last week that he had made commitments to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.
Joe Biden stated that five countries agreed to send Patriots and other air defense systems to Ukraine, and other countries that ordered them will have to wait as "everything we have will go to Ukraine until its needs are met".
"Financial Times" bases its information on three independent sources. They told the newspaper that Thursday’s statement from the Biden administration will codify his commitment to Kyiv and ensure that Ukraine receives the Patriot systems to protect critical infrastructure and Ukrainian cities from intensified Russian shelling.
Europe awaits Patriots
The newspaper states that among the European countries that placed orders for Patriot systems are Poland, Romania, and Germany. Spain also has an open order for these launchers, while a coalition of NATO countries placed an order for 1,000 missiles for these launchers in January.
Spain, Greece, and Romania have Patriots in their arsenals but have so far refused to agree to their transfer to Ukraine. Poland explains that its Patriots protect the infrastructure used to transport Western weapons to Ukraine, and therefore they are already deployed to protect its neighbor from Russian aggression. Italy stated in June that it would send Kyiv a second SAMP/T air defense system, a European alternative to the Patriot.
"FT" reports that Patriot systems are the most advanced air defense weapons in the American arsenal. They have a radar system and mobile launchers that can fire interceptor missiles towards incoming missiles or aircraft. Ukraine currently has at least four Patriot systems, delivered by the USA and Germany.
