Germany will be able to transfer the Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine no earlier than the end of June. The delivery may coincide with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets, according to The New York Times.
Starting from Monday (May 6), as reported, about 70 Ukrainian military personnel will begin six-week training on the Patriot system at an airbase in eastern Germany.
"Once the training is completed, it usually takes German forces about two days to truck the huge missile launchers, radar and other parts to the logistics hub in Poland and to give them to Ukrainian officials to take across the border," writes NYT.
It is noted that the promised missile system may arrive in Ukraine no earlier than the end of June. At the same time, the delivery of Patriot may coincide with the delivery of F-16.
"Though Ukraine has been asking for the warplanes almost since the start of the war in February 2022, they are not expected to be delivered until this summer — and only in small numbers initially," explains the NYT.
Patriot for Ukraine
As emphasized repeatedly, the issue of strengthening Ukraine's air defense (AD) has become paramount against the backdrop of heightened Russian shelling. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to fully protect Ukrainian skies, approximately 25 Patriot systems are sufficient.
In mid-April, Germany announced the transfer of an additional Patriot system to Ukraine. In particular, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Spain, Margarita Robles, stated that Madrid would provide missiles in the new aid package for the aforementioned AD system.
In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, suggested that one of the Patriot systems could be transferred by the United States of America (USA).