The Netherlands looks for Patriot battery elements for Ukraine
Photo: The Netherlands supplied Ukraine with only Patriot radar
The Netherlands has so far supplied Ukraine with a Patriot battery radar system and will soon deliver three launchers. The search for other elements in other countries continues, according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
“I can only talk about what we have delivered. We have delivered the radar system and very soon we will deliver three launchers. We are also trying to find other elements that are needed to complete the system,” he says.
According to him, there are several countries that also really want to help Ukraine and do their best. But they have encountered some problems that make it impossible to assemble this system, the Minister says.
Brekelmans refuses to name the country that has slowed down the delivery of the Patriot battery to Ukraine.
“It depends on other countries whether they want to be open. The reason we are not always transparent is that we do not want to inform Russia. And if I tell you all the operational details, we will make Russia wiser than it already is. And I don't think we should inform Russia,” he adds.
Mr. Brekelmans could not give a timeframe for the delivery of the Patriot battery to Ukraine.
“Yes, we are still discussing it. But I certainly don't want to make statements too early, because only when it happens, when it's final, you will know. And at the moment, I know that many countries are still very creative in terms of the fact that they can put maybe other air defense systems, not only Patriot because you can also put NASAMS or something else,” the Minister says.
The Patriot anti-aircraft battery includes 4-8 launchers, each with 4 missiles.
At the end of June, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced that the Netherlands, together with another ally country, would provide Ukraine with a complete Patriot air defense system. The Netherlands emphasized that it was ready to provide core components, while other countries were to provide the remaining parts.
In the summer, the then Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said that her country had fulfilled its mission. She did not specify which country did not fulfill its part of the obligations.
