Ukraine awaits promised Patriot systems as allies fall short
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that Ukraine has not yet received all five Patriot air defense systems that allies promised during the NATO summit in Washington in July 2024. This is one of the weapons the Ukrainian delegation strongly advocated for. Let's recall its capabilities.
"I consider the decision in Washington regarding the additional five Patriots for Ukraine a significant achievement concerning NATO's actions. Not everyone has fulfilled this yet, but the decision was positive," said President Zelensky, as quoted by the Unian agency.
Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine
Zelensky did not specify which countries have not yet delivered the promised Patriot systems to Ukraine. Information that emerged in the media after the NATO summit in Washington indicated that the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania had pledged to provide them. The authorities in Romania confirmed in October 2024 that the equipment was delivered to Ukraine.
The Patriot is a surface-to-air missile defense system manufactured by the American company Raytheon. It is known for its high effectiveness, which has been demonstrated in the ongoing war. Ukrainian military personnel regard the Patriot as one of the best weapons of its kind in the world. It has caused significant damage to Russian aviation.
Capabilities of the Patriot system
The exact capabilities of the Patriot system depend on several factors, including the radar version, the type of target, and the missiles used. In the MIM-104A variants, the missiles reach speeds of about 2,237 mph, but in the PAC-2 and PAC-3 MSE variants, they can reach up to approximately 3,836 mph. The PAC-3 MSE variant can also counter ballistic missiles.
An essential feature of the Patriot system is its mobility. The components are mounted on vehicle platforms. A complete Patriot system includes launchers, a computerized command post, and a phased-array radar.
In December 2024, Zelensky stated that with an additional 10-12 Patriot systems, Ukraine could "completely close its sky to Russian missiles."
