Ukrainian soldiers train in Spain to operate the Patriot air defense system before delivery.

Ukrainian maintainers are training in Spain for the upkeep and operation of Patriot missile systems. Spain recently acquired its first American anti-air systems in October 2023, following the approval of a $2.6 billion sale by the Defense Cooperation Agency, the U.S. agency for international military cooperation and equipment export.
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Ukrainian soldiers learning of to use a patriot system (Picture source Opensource )

Ukraine has received about 3 Patriot systems from various countries. However, anti-air systems, like heavy equipment, require substantial maintenance, highlighting the need for Ukrainian maintainers to be trained by Western countries.

In addition to the Patriot systems, Ukraine has also received several NASAMS and Iris-T systems, though only three Patriot units have been delivered so far, limiting their effectiveness in the Ukrainian theater.

The Patriot air defense system, officially designated MIM-104 Patriot, is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by the United States and employed by many countries worldwide. It primarily serves to defend against aerial targets such as aircraft, drones, and ballistic and cruise missiles. The Patriot system uses advanced radar technology to detect and track targets before launching missiles to intercept them at great distances, thereby providing extensive defensive coverage.

In contrast, the IRIS-T, developed by Germany, was initially designed as an air-to-air missile before being adapted for surface-to-air use. It is known for its high maneuverability and ability to intercept close-range targets with precise accuracy, making it especially effective against direct aerial threats.

The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), developed jointly by the United States and Norway, is noted for its flexibility and ability to integrate various types of radars and missiles. This versatility allows NASAMS to handle a range of threat scenarios, from low-altitude drone interceptions to defenses against high-performance aircraft.

Since the onset of the Russian offensive in 2022, Ukrainians have participated in various training programs with NATO soldiers, including combat training in England and the Czech Republic, and vehicle maintenance training in France and other countries that have donated vehicles (such as Leopards, AMX 10 RCs). Recent images from Spain show Ukrainian maintainers undergoing training.

This coincides with recent requests by Germany for the delivery of six new Patriot systems to Ukrainian forces.

Defense News April 2024