Europe to boost Patriot supplies to Ukraine ahead of Russian winter attacks - Bloomberg
Photo: Patriot air defense system (Getty Images)
Allies pledge to buy more US-made Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine and send missiles from their own stockpiles. This is expected to help Ukraine repel Russian attacks this winter, Bloomberg reports.
Air defense for Ukraine
The flow of missiles will come both through individual donations and a NATO program that allows European countries to purchase US weapons for Kyiv, the outlet reports.
The commitments were made on September 8, when Ukraine’s allies gathered for a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format.
Germany was among the countries that said it would donate some of its own PAC-2 Patriot missiles, which are in short supply worldwide due to the war in Iran.
The new interceptor missiles are urgently needed by Ukraine. The country is facing a shortage of air defense systems, while Moscow is expected to step up attacks on critical infrastructure in winter.
European countries are now finalizing their plans for NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL. As a result, interceptor missiles will arrive in time for winter, according to sources familiar with the plans, Bloomberg reports.
How much will it cost
According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, PURL has already received $10 billion in contributions from NATO allies.
That figure is below the $12 billion he had called for.
The PURL package currently under negotiation is a direct response to requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sources said.
How many missiles are needed
The Ukrainian leader said he needs allies to deliver 300 Patriot missiles by winter.
"We are asking you to provide us with missiles from your stockpiles today in exchange for future advanced missiles under our contracts," Ukraine’s new Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara told the allies on Tuesday.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called on partners to help Kyiv prepare for winter, as Russia is expected to scale up its air strikes on Ukraine.
In addition, Germany pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses with various types of missiles. This needs to be done before winter.
