Ukraine eyes $15 billion Patriot deal amid defense challenges
As Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated, Ukraine wants to purchase 10 Patriot air defense systems. Kyiv is ready to spend $15 billion; however, the availability of these weapons could present a challenge. Military expert Anatoliy Khrapchynsky explains that Ukraine might look to acquire Patriots from other countries or consider alternative systems.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has expressed a willingness to buy 10 Patriot systems from the United States for $15 billion. Ukraine is determined to strengthen its air defense, and some European partners are willing to financially support this purchase.
Ukraine wants to buy Patriots
To achieve this goal, however, Ukraine might consider purchasing air defense systems from other countries that already have them. Khrapchynsky points to Israel, as it is a country that possesses Arrow complexes—which may be even better 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 a year. As for missiles, the USA can produce about 250. Despite this, the USA has not increased its production capabilities, as explained by Khrapchynsky.
At this pace, purchasing 10 systems may require not only a substantial financial investment but also a waiting period. Quoted by the Ukrainian agency Unian, Anatoliy Khrapchynsky emphasizes that Ukraine could buy Patriot systems from countries that currently operate them. He also points to Israel—a country that possesses Arrow systems. According to Khrapchynsky, this system would be even more suitable.
In the end, one of the threats from the Russian Federation consists of ballistic missiles, which require missile defense systems rather than air defense, Khrapchynsky explains. He adds that the Patriot can intercept threats at altitudes of 19-25 miles, while the Arrow 3 (used by Israel) can reach targets at up to 62 miles. This means "at the highest trajectory of flight, where the missile does not perform maneuvers that complicate its 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 can simultaneously track multiple targets within a radius exceeding 93 miles. Combined with PAC-2 or the more advanced PAC-3 interceptors, the Patriot system can destroy incoming objects from several dozen miles away. In the case of PAC-3 missiles, this range extends up to 28 miles vertically and over 43 miles 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.
