The US gives in to Ukraine’s insistence. US President Joe Biden (80) apparently wants to deliver the mighty Patriot defense system to the war zone. It would be the most effective defense system the country has received to date. According to CNN, the Patriots should be delivered within days of the final blessing from the US Department of Defense.
The Russian army repeatedly attacks Ukrainian targets with ranged fire – including in the capital Kiev. Marcel Berni, 34, military expert at the ETH Military Academy, told Blick: “In the medium term, the system will allow Ukrainians to be better protected against aerial threats in certain locations.”
Berni does not believe the Ukrainians will use them to actively attack targets in Russia. “Most likely, it will be about deploying the system to protect civilian and military infrastructure on Ukrainian territory.”
Long training
However, it may take months for Patriot to be deployed. Berni: “The Ukrainians must first be trained on this system, so it will take some time before it can be used in the war zone.” The training of Ukrainian soldiers takes place at the US military training ground Grafenwoehr in Bavaria.
Unlike smaller defense units, Patriot missile batteries require dozens of soldiers to operate. «The Patriot system requires a lot of maintenance and logistics to remain functional. The complex training and operation requires a lot of coordination,” says Berni.
How does Putin react?
Ukraine has been demanding this system for a long time. Berni: “Now the Russian terror of missiles and drones should have led her to get it. The question is how Putin will react to this delivery.”
A Patriot unit consists of a radar device for detecting and tracking attacking missiles, a command center and up to eight missile launchers, each with four missiles ready to fire. It also includes a power generator.
Patriot is considered one of the most powerful defense systems against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and aircraft. Its range allows it to shoot down targets at great distances. More than a dozen US allies rely on the system, including Germany, Japan and Israel.
Switzerland also wants to call on Patriot. In the spring, the DDPS in Emmen LU presented the system, which must be purchased for almost two billion francs.
Guido Fields
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
