United to win: Netherlands to deliver three Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine soon
Photo: illustrative picture
To date, the Netherlands has provided Ukraine with a Patriot battery-run radar system, and three launchers are scheduled for delivery soon. The search for additional components in other countries is ongoing.
The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Ruben Brekelmans, stated this, according to Delfi.
"I can only talk about what we have delivered. We have delivered the radar system, and very soon, we will deliver three launchers. We are also trying to find other elements needed to complete the system," he said.
He said several countries also "really want to help Ukraine" and are "doing everything possible."
"But they faced some problems, which made it impossible to assemble this system," the minister said.
Breckelmans refused to name the country that blocked the supply of Patriot batteries to Ukraine.
"It depends on whether other countries want to be open. We're not always transparent because we don't want to inform Russia. And if I reveal all the operational details, we'll make Russia wiser than it already is, and I don't think we should inform Russia," he added.
Breckelmans could not name the terms of delivery of Patriot batteries to Ukraine.
"Yes, we're still discussing it. But I certainly don't want to make a statement too early because you'll know only when it's there when it's final. And at the moment, I know many countries are still very creatively approaching the question of what they can put, perhaps, other air defense systems, not only Patriot, because you can also put NASAMS or something else," the minister said.
It should be noted that the Patriot anti-aircraft battery includes 4-8 launchers, each carrying four missiles.
At the end of May, the Netherlands announced its intention to provide Ukraine with another Patriot air defense system in cooperation with other countries. The Netherlands will provide the main components, and other partners will provide the additional ones.
Then, the Netherlands publicly announced its readiness to purchase the Patriot battery.
"With our proposal, and if other potential partner countries can supply components and ammunition, we can provide Ukraine with at least one complete system in the short term," Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said at the time.
A month later, the minister reported that she managed to find another country to cooperate with this donation.
For reference:
Earlier, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba reported that Ukraine had found 100 free Patriots in the world but it wanted to get at least seven for protection against Russian missiles.
In addition, according to the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Ukraine was ready to lend seven batteries to the Patriot air defense system.
In July, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine's air defense had strengthened – the Patriot anti-aircraft missile complex had arrived from Germany.
On September 5, the head of state stated that Ukraine expects international partners to implement a complete package of decisions regarding the supply of air defense systems and other military aid. He also thanked Romania for the presented Patriot air defense system.
Ukraine is currently in talks with its partners about transferring four Patriot air defense systems.
