Was Trump right? How Ukraine could get 17 Patriot missiles
Illustrative photo: Ukraine may receive 17 Patriots (Getty Images)
Ukraine could indeed receive 17 Patriot missile launchers originally intended for Switzerland. Bern has already been warned that deliveries of these systems will be delayed, Defense Express reports.
The outlet highlighted a statement from the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS), which announced that the delivery of five Patriot batteries, initially planned for 2026, has been postponed. The Pentagon informed the Swiss agency about this delay.
Switzerland was supposed to receive the Patriot systems under a contract agreed upon in 2021.
The contract includes the supply of 17 Patriot launchers. Switzerland is also set to receive 70 GEM-T surface-to-air missiles, five AN/MPQ-65 radar systems, six MIDS-LVT data distribution systems, and five AN/MSQ-132 battle management units.
Defense Express suggests that each Patriot battery Switzerland is to receive consists of three launchers. Another two launchers may have been purchased as a reserve.
The outlet notes that it is still unclear how the United States plans to resolve the legal and bureaucratic issues that could arise from transferring the batteries originally designated for Switzerland to Ukraine.
On July 14, US President Donald Trump promised to transfer 17 Patriot systems to Ukraine. He stated that such systems won't be needed by one country.
Patriot delivery delay
The Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) only announced the delay in Patriot system deliveries today, July 17, citing a notification from the Pentagon.
The statement cites a new prioritization as the reason for the delay. However, it does not mention anything about the systems being redirected to Ukraine.
