Germany is discussing the possibility of transferring Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine
A representative of the Polish parliament said that the issue of how to deal with Warsaw’s offer to provide high-performance Patriot systems to Ukraine is currently being resolved. NATO stated that they will not prevent the supply of these air defense systems to the Armed Forces.
The German government confirmed that, together with its allies, the German side continues to negotiate on the offer of the Polish authorities to send Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine.
Initially, Berlin offered the Defense Ministry of Poland, which, like Germany, is a member of NATO, the American-made Patriot system to protect the country’s airspace. This proposal came after two Polish citizens were killed last week in the area of the Polish-German border as a result of a rocket explosion. However, the Polish authorities, in response to the proposal, asked to transfer to Ukraine these Patriot air defense systems, which are considered the most effective.
blockquote ‘We are discussing with our allies what to do with Poland’s proposal,’ said a representative of the German government. /blockquote
Recently, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg explained that the alliance does not intend to block this proposal, noting that everything depends on the decision of a specific country.
The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, said that the decision on where to place the air defense system was made by Germany.
At the same time, Duda said that it would be better for Poland’s security if they were installed on Ukrainian territory near the Polish border.
blockquote ‘From a military point of view, it would be better if they were deployed in Ukraine to also protect Polish territory. Then they would be more effective in protecting both the territory of Ukraine and Poland,’ he explained, adding that the final decision rests with the German side . /blockquote
We will remind that Poland gave up Patriot systems and Eurofighter fighters in favor of Ukraine. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that the Eurofighter fighters and Patriot systems offered to Poland should be transferred to Ukraine in order to avoid new victims and blackouts.
Yuriy Ignat, the spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian SSR, said that the Patriot would strengthen the existing anti-aircraft defenses.
