Netherlands may soon provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems — media
The Dutch government may soon decide to send the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, following the USA and Germany.
The Bloomberg agency reported this with reference to informed sources, and the corresponding statement of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, was quoted by the Dutch mass media.
"The Netherlands is constantly considering the possibility of military support for Ukraine," commented the representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, adding that the Netherlands gives priority to military supplies to Ukraine.
The Dutch military began using the Patriot system in 1987. These surface-to-air missile systems are capable of hitting aircraft, helicopters, ballistic, and cruise missiles at an altitude of up to 20 kilometers and a distance of up to 60 kilometers.
In Europe, only Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have Patriot air defense systems in service.
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On December 21, the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.85 billion, which for the first time, includes the transfer of the Patriot air defense system. After that, Germany also promised to provide Patriot to Ukraine.
This week, about a hundred Ukrainian military personnel, who will be trained to operate and maintain Patriot air defense systems, have already arrived at the base in Oklahoma.
At this stage, 90 to 100 Ukrainian military personnel will be trained, who will be operators or will be engaged in system maintenance. Preparation will last several months.
