Scholz reveals timeline for Ukraine's deployment of second Patriot system
Anti-aircraft missile system Patriot (Photo: Getty Images)
Germany's second Patriot air defense system, transferred to Ukraine, will be deployed and operational by the end of this year, according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany.
German Chancellor noted during his speech in the Bundestag that Ukraine's ability to defend itself against numerous Russian aerial attacks using drones and missiles had improved.
Scholz also stated that Ukraine would receive armored vehicles, ammunition, winter protective gear for the Armed Forces, as well as generators to overcome the electricity deficit.
"All of this is urgently needed. Because Russia has now put its economy entirely at the service of this war. Russian weapons production is running at full speed," he emphasized.
The German Chancellor also warned about the consequences of decreased support from Ukraine's partner countries, as Ukraine continued to repel Russia's large-scale military aggression.
"Putin is still determined to bring Ukraine to its knees militarily," he said, adding that the Russian dictator counted on a weakening of international support for Ukraine.
Patriot for Ukraine
Ukraine received its first Patriot missile system from Germany in April 2023. The transfer of the anti-aircraft system occurred after Ukrainian operators underwent training, which began in early February.
In November, it was revealed that Ukraine would soon receive another Patriot air defense system from Germany. Currently, two Patriot air defense system divisions are on combat duty.
Additionally, on December 2, it was announced that the second group of Ukrainian military personnel had completed training in Germany to operate the Patriot missile system.
The Patriot system is capable of intercepting ballistic and Russian aeroballistic missiles like Kinzhal. The Air Force also reported that the Patriot missile system was used to destroy Russian aircraft in the sky over the Bryansk region of Russia on May 13, 2023.
Recently, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yurii Ihnat, responding to inquiries about whether the Defense Forces had received the third Patriot battery announced by Germany, stated that such information had not been announced yet.
Previously, it was reported that the second group of Ukrainian Patriot missile system operators had recently completed training in Germany. 70 soldiers and officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces underwent over six weeks of training on the system.
