Ukraine to receive Patriot systems annually – Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Ukraine will receive Patriot air defense systems every year, and a corresponding contract is already being prepared, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with journalists on October 19, according to an RBC-Ukraine correspondent.
According to him, the necessary contacts with the American side regarding air defense have already been established.
"We are preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. I believe this is a very good story. Not an easy one, but a long-term one,'' Zelenskyy said.
The president noted that a lot of work has been done within this process. Last week, the necessary meetings were prepared by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov.
It is difficult to receive all the systems at once due to the queue of countries that have already signed contracts with the manufacturer. At present, Ukraine is trying to switch places with some of the customers.
"These 25 systems we will receive annually, a different number in different years. The White House can change the queue if there is political will. We understand which European countries can give us this priority in line,'' Zelenskyy said.
He also reminded that some European countries have their own Patriots. There are systems located there that belong to the United States Army. Ukraine is ready to receive these systems instead of the new ones it will order.
''This means that if everyone works together and there is goodwill, then with these American systems located in these European countries, the White House could help us — so that we receive them,'' Zelenskyy concluded.
Situation with Patriot systems in Ukraine
According to the Air Force, one Patriot battery can intercept ballistic targets within a radius of about 25 kilometers. Several such batteries are needed to protect a single city. Since Russian forces attack many cities in Ukraine with ballistic missiles, a large number of batteries is required.
Back in September, Ukraine's Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine urgently needs 10 additional Patriot systems to protect its airspace from Russian ballistic missiles. The United States was expected to provide Ukraine with a delivery schedule for the 10 batteries.
The exact number of Patriot systems already transferred to Ukraine has not been publicly disclosed.
