United States Considers Sending Additional Patriot Air Defense System to Ukraine.

The Biden administration is contemplating the deployment of an additional battery of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, responding to urgent calls for increased military support in light of intensified Russian attacks. This decision was reported by Bloomberg on May 15, 2024.
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U.S. Army Patriot Missile Systems as part of DEFENDER-Europe 21. (Picture source: US DoD)

According to Bloomberg sources, the proposed Patriot system would include a battery along with radar systems. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, which has seen contributions from various European allies. Germany, for example, has actively pressured the United States and other European nations to provide more air defense systems to Ukraine. German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck highlighted the severe threat posed by the high number of drones and missiles targeting Ukraine, deeming air defense a critical need alongside artillery shells​.

The potential decision by the United States to supply an additional Patriot battery is seen as an enhancement of Ukraine's defense arsenal. The Patriot system, known for its effectiveness against a range of aerial threats, would provide Ukraine with a tool to counter missile attacks. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman noted the strategic importance of this system for Ukraine, particularly in dealing with short-range ballistic missiles​.

The Patriot air defense system is a long-range missile defense system capable of operating in all weather conditions and at all altitudes. This system, designed in the United States, is used by several countries, including Germany, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, South Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States itself.

The Patriot missile weighs approximately 700 kg and is about 5.2 meters long. It has an effective range of 20 to 35 km, allowing it to cover a wide area to intercept aerial threats. The PAC-3 missile's unique feature is its "hit-to-kill" approach, meaning it does not have an explosive warhead. Instead, it destroys its target using the kinetic energy generated by direct impact, propelled by a solid rocket motor.

In terms of guidance, the PAC-3 missile is equipped with an active radar seeker in its nose, allowing it to track and engage targets autonomously. This guidance system is supplemented by mid-course updates from ground-based radar and the missile's onboard inertial navigation system. The radar used for this system is the AN/MPQ-65, which plays a crucial role in detecting and tracking aerial threats.

The Patriot can reach a top speed of Mach 5, approximately 6,173 km/h, enabling it to quickly respond to airborne threats. Due to these characteristics, the Patriot air defense system is a key element of missile defense for its user countries, providing effective protection against ballistic missiles, combat aircraft, and other aerial threats.

The potential deployment of another Patriot air defense battery in Ukraine represents a crucial step in strengthening the country's defense capabilities. Ukraine is currently under a massive Russian assault near Kharkiv and urgently needs such systems to counter ongoing strikes and the offensive.