German Army trains new contingent of Ukrainian soldiers to operate Patriot PAC-3 air defense system.

On October 30, 2023, the German Luftwaffe announced via Twitter that Bundeswehr instructors had begun training a new group of Ukrainian soldiers in the use of the Patriot air defense system. The development is part of Germany's 1 billion euro military aid plan aimed at boosting Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
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On October 30, 2023, the German Luftwaffe announced via Twitter that Bundeswehr instructors had begun training a new group of Ukrainian soldiers in the use of the Patriot air defense system. (Picture source: German MoD)

The Bundeswehr revealed that 61 Ukrainian servicemen and 10 Ukrainian language mediators have started their multi-week training. The training focuses on the Patriot air defense missile system, a sophisticated piece of military equipment designed to counter various aerial threats.

Germany has been an important supporter of Ukraine, especially since the outbreak of war. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, more than 14.2 billion euros have been made available to support Ukraine bilaterally. This assistance includes a substantial winter assistance program, support for refugees, and efforts to investigate war crimes and humanitarian demining operations.

Germany has already transferred two Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine and has been actively involved in the supply of weapons and equipment from its Bundeswehr military inventory. Additionally, Germany is the largest contributor to the European Peace Fund (EPF), which has provided 3.1 billion euros from across Europe for military equipment.

The Patriot system, initially designed to counter aerial threats, has evolved to include the interception of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. One of its distinctive features is its extended range, allowing it to counter threats several kilometers away.

The German Armed Forces have a total of 30 launch units of the Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile system. The PAC-3 is an improved version with increased capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles. Unlike its predecessors, the PAC-3 is designed to intercept incoming targets in the terminal phase of flight. It has a range of around 20 km and can reach speeds of up to Mach 5.