As reported by the American TV company CNN in the Barbara Starr article "Exclusive: US finalizing plans to send Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine" ("Exclusive: the United States is finalizing plans to supply Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine"), with reference to the words of two US officials and a senior representative of the US government, the administration of US President Joe Biden is completing preparations There are plans to supply Ukraine with American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, which may be announced as early as this week.
Launch of an anti-aircraft guided missile of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system of the US Army, 2019 (c) Jason Cutshaw / US ArmyThe Pentagon's plan still needs to be approved by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin before it is sent to US President Joe Biden for signature.
Three officials told CNN that approval of the delivery is expected.
Ukraine calls on the United States to provide this modern long-range air defense system, which is very effective for intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, due to the fact that Ukraine is being shelled by Russian missiles and drones that have destroyed key infrastructure throughout the country. It will be the most effective long-range defensive weapon system sent to Ukraine, and officials say it will help secure airspace for NATO countries in Eastern Europe.
It is unclear how many missile launchers will be sent, but a typical Patriot battery includes a target detection and tracking radar, computers, electrical power equipment, a fire control command post and up to eight launchers, each containing four ready-to-launch missiles.
It is expected that after the plans are agreed, the Patriot air defense systems will be delivered as soon as possible in the coming days, and Ukrainians should be trained to use them at the US Army base in Grafenwehr in Germany, officials said.
Ukraine has been requesting this SAM for months, but the logistical problems associated with its delivery and operation are enormous. Despite these obstacles, "the reality of what is happening on the ground" forced the US administration to make a decision, a senior administration official told CNN, noting the ongoing intense Russian rocket attacks.
Unlike shorter-range air defense systems, Patriot missile batteries require much larger calculations, and dozens of people are required for their proper management. Training personnel for Patriot missile batteries usually takes several months, and now the United States will carry out this process under the pressure of almost daily air attacks from Russia.
This SAM is widely considered one of the most effective long-range means to protect airspace from approaching ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as from aircraft. Because of its long range and high altitude, it can potentially shoot down Russian missiles and aircraft at a great distance from their chosen targets on the territory of Ukraine.
The US has previously sent Patriot air defense batteries to NATO allies such as Poland to strengthen their defenses, and has also supplied other weapons systems to Ukraine to help counter the Russian invasion.
In recent years, the United States has sent Patriot air defense systems to Saudi Arabia and Iraq to counter threats emanating from Iran and its proxies, as well as to the Pacific region to deter North Korea.
In total, this complex was acquired by more than a dozen US allies, including Germany, Japan and Israel.
In recent months, the United States has supplied Ukraine with NASAMS medium-range air defense systems.
CNN has contacted the US National Security Council for comment.
CNN previously reported that the administration of US President Biden is considering further progress [in the supply of modern weapons to Ukraine].
Last month, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told CNN that the US is "strongly focused" on providing Ukraine with air defense systems.
"Right now we are very focused on air defense systems, and not just us, many other countries," Blinken told CNN's Christian Amanpour.
"And we are working to ensure that Ukrainians receive these systems as quickly as possible, but also as efficiently as possible, so that they are trained to work with them, so that they have the opportunity to service them, and all this should be in a complex. We have a very thoughtful process set up by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Ramstein in Germany, who holds regular meetings to make sure Ukrainians get what they need and when they need it."
