US shifts Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine frontlines
According to information reported by Axios, the American military transported approximately 90 Patriot air defense missiles from Israel to Poland, and these weapons will now be transferred to Ukraine. Here's an explanation of their capabilities.
The missiles reportedly come from the reserves of the Israeli army, which has already taken them out of service. Axios, citing reports from three well-informed sources, notes that this marks the first delivery of Israeli weapons to Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion.
C-17 transport planes in Rzeszów
The American portal noted that American C-17 transport planes regularly fly between a military base in southern Israel and Rzeszów. Initially, it was suggested that their cargo might include Soviet and Russian weapons captured by Israel during its intervention in Lebanon.
The Israeli armed forces concluded the use of Patriot systems in April 2024, after they had been in service for over 30 years. Previously, this American weaponry was mainly utilized for training as Israel developed its air defense systems.
Axios adds that immediately following the announcement of the withdrawal of the Patriot systems, Ukrainian authorities approached the USA and Israel to request their refurbishment and transfer to the front lines. A source within the American service in the Israeli government stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not interested in discussing this matter; however, in September 2024, he agreed to transfer these weapons.
Priceless weaponry for Ukraine
This is the first such aid from Israel to Ukraine. Despite numerous requests from Kyiv, Israel has not provided Ukraine with military equipment, focusing instead on delivering humanitarian aid shipments. Media reports indicate that the USA transported only a portion of the American artillery ammunition stored in Israeli warehouses to Ukraine.
The Patriot systems are invaluable to Ukraine and are considered among the most effective weapons of their type globally. They are highly effective at protecting Ukrainian skies from Russian aircraft and missiles.
The exact capabilities of this anti-aircraft system depend on several factors, including the radar version, the type of target being countered, and the missiles used. In the MIM-104A variants, the missiles reach speeds of approximately 3 Mach after launch, while in the PAC-2 and PAC-3 MSE variants, they can reach speeds of up to 5 Mach when aimed at enemy targets. PAC-3 MSE missiles can intercept ballistic missiles, such as the Russian Iskanders.
