Dutch plan to supply Patriot system to Ukraine falls through
The Dutch Ministry of Defense, along with an ally, intended to deliver another complete Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. However, this won't be possible as the unnamed country has withdrawn its donation. Here are the most important features and capabilities of the Patriot system.
Ukrainian military personnel and politicians have been asserting for months that shortages of air defense systems are one of their country's biggest problems. The Patriot systems manufactured by the American company Raytheon are highly valued among such weapons. Although NATO countries have sent several batteries to the front, they still do not meet the needs of the defending army.
Problems with Patriots for Ukraine
At the end of May, the German and Dutch defense ministries announced that they would seek solutions to this issue worldwide. The Dutch declared their readiness to supply Ukraine with a Patriot system alongside another willing country. They offered "basic components," with the remaining parts needed to form a complete battery to come from another allied country.
"With our offer, and consulting with partner countries providing several key parts and munitions, we can provide Ukraine with at least one fully operational system in a short time frame," said Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
In June, the Dutch announced they had found a country interested in such an endeavor. Now, according to the Dutch ANP agency, the entire plan is falling apart because the "previously mentioned ally's commitment will not be honored." It is unknown which country this refers to, and the Dutch Ministry of Defense does not intend to disclose such information.
Valued American anti-aircraft system
A complete Patriot system battery consists of launchers, a computerized command post, and a phased array radar. The system elements are mounted on vehicle platforms, making the equipment highly mobile. However, it is primarily valued worldwide for its high efficiency in intercepting hostile targets, which can include aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
The capabilities of this system depend on several variables, including the radar version, type of target, and missiles used. It can engage hostile objects up to about 100 miles away and at altitudes up to 75,000 feet. The launched missiles can reach speeds of approximately Mach 3 for MIM-104A variants or even Mach 5 for PAC-2 and PAC-3 variants.
