Ukraine expects the deployment of the MIM-104 Patriot air defense system as soon as possible

Preparations for the transfer of the MIM-104 Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine have begun, the provision of which was announced during President Zelenskyi’s visit to Washington on December 21, 2022, , writes Militarnyi with reference to a briefing of the minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba.

“We expect the Patriot to be deployed as soon as possible. Preparations for the transfer of these systems have already begun,” the minister said.

Dmytro Kuleba explained what the Ukrainian military need in the first place. These are anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, missiles for them; anti-aircraft systems of the Gepard, Vulcan type; FIM-92 Stinger and other MANPADS; artillery shells of all calibers.

“Ukraine needs as many high-tech air defense systems as possible, and therefore we are negotiating not only about new Patriot batteries, but also about the supply of new NASAMS systems, IRIS-T, Crotale. We are grateful to the USA, Germany, Norway, and France for the already adopted decisions and we are working on speeding up similar decisions either from them or from other countries,” Kuleba added.

In addition, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Ukraine is actively working on the supply of all types of artillery systems and armored vehicles, including tanks.

“Now, President Zelenskyi and his entire diplomatic team are intensively working on new solutions regarding the supply of new types of Western weapons. This is primarily about the supply of Western-style tanks and other armored vehicles. I have no doubt that soon the Ukrainian army will have additional armor and firepower,” the minister emphasized.