Netherlands Plans to Supply Ukraine with Three Patriot Launchers Very Soon.

The Netherlands is set to deliver three launchers of the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine soon. The Dutch government had already sent a radar system as part of this military support. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced this news in an interview with Delfi. "We have delivered a radar system, and we will soon deliver three launchers. We are also looking to obtain other necessary components to complete the system," said Brekelmans.
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The Patriot system is a long-range air defense system designed to operate at all altitudes and in all weather conditions. (Picture source: US DoD)

This initiative is part of the project called the "Patriot Puzzle," launched by former Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren. According to this plan, the Netherlands, along with other partner countries, will provide different components of the Patriot system so that Ukraine can have a complete and operational air defense system.

Brekelmans emphasized that several nations are ready to help Ukraine strengthen its air defense capabilities, though some are facing logistical or technical difficulties that are slowing the delivery of necessary equipment.

"These countries are encountering obstacles that make it difficult to assemble this system. It also depends on the willingness of other nations to disclose information about what they are providing. However, we are not always transparent about this because it is crucial not to inform Russia. Sharing too many operational details could enhance their knowledge, which we want to avoid," Brekelmans added.

At the end of the summer, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his frustration with the delays in delivering the Patriot systems, calling on Ukraine's international partners to speed up the process. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the military estimates it needs 25 Patriot defense systems to effectively cover the entire Ukrainian territory.

The Patriot system is a long-range air defense system designed to operate at all altitudes and in all weather conditions. Developed in the United States, it is currently used by many countries such as Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Romania, and more recently, Ukraine. Its design relies on missiles capable of targeting and destroying various aerial threats, such as aircraft and ballistic missiles.

The missile used by the Patriot system, the PAC-3, weighs around 700 kg and measures approximately 5.2 meters in length. Its range varies from 20 to 35 kilometers, offering extensive coverage against enemy threats. Unlike many other systems, the PAC-3 missile does not use an explosive warhead. Its destruction relies on a "hit-to-kill" approach, meaning it destroys its targets through the kinetic energy generated by direct impact. This makes it particularly effective against ballistic missiles, where precision and impact force are crucial.

The PAC-3 is equipped with a sophisticated guidance system, based on an active radar located in the nose of the missile. This radar allows the missile to autonomously track and engage its targets. Additionally, mid-course updates are provided by the ground-based radar, the AN/MPQ-65, complementing the missile's onboard inertial navigation system.

With a maximum speed of Mach 5 (approximately 6,173 km/h), the PAC-3 is capable of responding rapidly to aerial threats. The AN/MPQ-65 radar, in turn, is a key component of the Patriot system, providing critical information on targets and enabling constant monitoring of airspace.

In July, the United States announced a new military aid package that included a Patriot system, while President Zelensky confirmed the arrival of a Patriot system from Germany.