Netherlands seeks to speed up delivery of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Фото: ЗРК Patriot (Getty Images)
The Netherlands, together with its partners, is looking for ways to speed up the delivery of missiles for the Patriot systems to Ukraine. This involves a large package funded by European allies, according to Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius.
The Minister calls the news about the Patriot package "welcome" and emphasizes that The Hague is working to expedite the deliveries.
"Another step closer to approval of a large package of Patriot missiles for Ukraine, financed with European money and by European allies. Defense is investigating together with partners into possibilities to accelerate deliveries," Yeşilgöz-Zegerius wrote.
In late October, the US State Department approved the sale of 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles for Patriot systems to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1 billion.
No US funds are involved in this deal. Ukraine will pay for the missiles using contributions from Canada, Germany, and Norway through the JUMPSTART program, as well as funds from an EU loan to support Ukraine. The missiles are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
The Netherlands is not the only country trying to address the shortage of missiles for Ukraine's air defense. Germany and the United Kingdom are seeking Patriot missiles from the arsenals of other allies, as the US is providing Ukraine with too few systems and ammunition for them. Berlin and London intend to present a plan to this effect to their partners at the Ramstein meeting on November 17.
There are also delays on the American side. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had been waiting for about a month for Hegseth to sign off on missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS systems.
