European Union countries that possess Patriot air defense systems continue to stall and delay aid to Ukraine, which is desperately seeking at least seven missile batteries to repel Russian airstrikes. The Russian air force is much more powerful than the Ukrainian one, but the sophisticated missile systems supplied by Kiev’s Western partners can pose a serious threat to the Russian air force as the Kremlin forces slowly advance along the approximately thousand kilometer front line.
Patriot and Samp/T missiles, Ukraine claims them to defend itself from Russian fire: who has them and what are they for
THE CONTEXT
The USA is finally about to approve the 60 billion aid package, after months of stalemate, and is “the home of the Patriots”. «The feeling is that many capitals now expect Washington to deliver the precious anti-missile batteries, given that it has more of them than anyone else», confides a diplomatic source. In reality the issue is more complex. Because the Americans are very attentive to the concept of “burden sharing”, the sharing of efforts with European allies. Kiev has asked for at least seven Patriot or Samp-T systems. But there are very few Samp-Ts around and they are needed by their owners (Franca and Italia). Germany has already sent a third system (out of 12 in total in its possession) and considers its commitment finished. Now it’s up to others. Greece, in particular, has come under fire. According to information circulated in Brussels, Athens has as many as 20 Patriot systems in its arsenal. “We understand that the eastern Mediterranean is a delicate quadrant, especially after the conflict between Iran and Israel,” notes a senior European source. “Of course, these are sovereign decisions, but Athens could do something more.” Another piece. Berlin has put itself at the head of the coalition of those willing for the air shield and has also involved the Gulf countries, which have many Patriots in their possession, in the initiative. Asked whether his country will provide any, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said: “I don’t rule out this possibility, but right now we focus on financial contributions.”
He also said Sweden would send other systems that could “relieve some of the pressure” on the Patriots’ need. Jonson also noted that further US deliveries of air defense systems could be coming, after the US House of Representatives approved a $61 billion support package over the weekend, including $13.8 billion for the purchase of weapons from Ukraine. Asked whether Spain might side with the Patriots, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said his country “will make its decisions based on the power it has in its hands to support Ukraine. I don’t think we will help anyone if we continually hear what is given, when it is given and how it arrives,” he told reporters at the meeting in Luxembourg. Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot said the Netherlands “is evaluating all kinds of possibilities right now” and is offering financial support to a German initiative to help Ukraine strengthen its air defenses and buy more drones. Asked at a meeting of European Union foreign and defense ministers why the Netherlands is reluctant to send some of its Patriot systems, Slot said: “We are looking again whether we can exhaust our reserves of what we still have , but it will be difficult.” In addition to supplying new Patriot batteries, Stoltenberg said it is also important for countries to ensure that the batteries they send are well maintained, have spare parts and plenty of interceptor missiles.
THE USA
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, after the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of defense ministers, announced “imminent aid” in Kiev, showing how the channels available to the Alliance are evidently more effective than those of the EU. But since, in the end, the capitals decide – and announce them, if they want – the supplies, Ukraine is not interested in the process, if anything it looks at the result. This does not mean that the EU is useless. In Brussels it is noted that the European Peace Fund can reimburse member states also on the Patriot front and this could be an incentive for those who have batteries available. We always return to the starting point: it is not the will that is lacking, but the equipment. Producing both the Patriot and the Samp-T takes years and Kiev can no longer wait. All that remains is to provide what is “on the shelves”. Stoltenberg was clear: send, be patient if you fall below the minimum thresholds of the Alliance, we will replace them later. “It’s a detail that can make the difference,” highlights a European diplomat.
THE PATRIOTS
The Patriot is a guided missile system that can hit aircraft, cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles. Each battery consists of a truck-mounted launch system with eight launchers that can hold up to four missile interceptors each, a ground radar, a control station and a generator. A key advantage of U.S.-made systems, aside from their effectiveness, is that Ukrainian troops are already trained to use them. But Patriots take a long time to make — up to two years, by some estimates — so countries are reluctant to give them up and leave themselves exposed. Germany had 12, but provides three to Ukraine. Poland, which borders Ukraine, has two and needs them for its defense. In addition to providing new Patriot batteries, Stoltenberg said it is also important for countries to ensure the batteries they send are well maintained, have spare parts and plenty of interceptor missiles.
THE RISKS
On Monday, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis expressed concern about possible Russian sabotage against facilities used in Europe to train Ukrainian troops. Two German-Russian men were arrested in Germany last week on espionage charges, one of them accused of agreeing to carry out attacks on potential targets, including US military facilities, prosecutors said. “We are seeing very similar events in our region, not only in Lithuania but also in Latvia and Estonia,” Landsbergis told reporters. And he added: «It seems that there is coordinated action against European countries by Russia,” he said. “We have to find a way to deal with the threat because Russia is fighting not only against Ukraine but also against ‘West”.
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