United to win: Germany to deploy Patriot air defense systemі in Poland to protect Ukraine aid center

Germany will deploy two Patriot air defense systems in Poland to protect the logistics center of international military assistance to Ukraine.

The monitoring project German Aid to Ukraine and Radio Svoboda reported that.

As reported, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made the corresponding statement on the sidelines of the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, which took place in Germany on January 9.

In late November 2024, the German Ministry of Defense proposed that NATO deploy the German Patriot system in Poland. At the meeting of the Contact Group, Boris Pistorius confirmed that this proposal would be implemented.

"We know very well how important Rzeszów is as a logistics hub and node when it comes to helping Ukraine. I don't have a detailed schedule of my meetings for the next two weeks, especially considering there is an election campaign in Germany. Still, in January, I will go to Rzeszow personally to guarantee that the Patriot defense systems will start operating there this month," Pistorius confirmed on January 13 in Poland.

In turn, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak–Kamysz added that the final details are being agreed upon.

^{Patriot missile defense system of the German armed forces. Photo: German Ministry of Defense}

"Since January of this year, NATO has taken on a greater role in coordinating the security of the Jasionka airport in Rzeszów, forming its mission. And here, our allies have declared their readiness. Minister Pistorius was the first to announce their assistance in support and protection, for which I am very grateful. Jasionka is a key port for supporting Ukraine, both in humanitarian and other aspects. More than 90% of the aid goes through Poland, so this allied support is all the more necessary," he said.

The monitoring project emphasizes that two MIM-104 Patriot complexes and 200 Bundeswehr service members will be stationed in Poland for six months, starting from the end of January 2025. German Aid to Ukraine notes that German troops are returning to Poland after a break of more than a year.

Norway has also joined the effort to protect the logistics center, deploying the NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system at Rzeszów-Jasienka Airport in December 2024. Norway has also deployed its F-35 fighter jets, and a total of 100 Norwegian service members are participating in the mission. The mission is expected to last until Easter.

In addition, Germany will provide air logistics by providing an Airbus A330 for aerial refueling for a year.

These air defense reinforcement operations are approved within NATO cooperation and are carried out under the auspices of the Alliance's integrated air and missile defense.

As is known, the Rzeszów-Jasienka Airport in Poland is a key transit hub for foreign military support to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. 90% of Western aid to Ukraine passes through this hub.

It is located 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, this airbase has also become a major stopover for foreign officials visiting Ukraine.

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It is worth adding that on the morning of January 14, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Kyiv unannounced. He said he wanted to discuss further military support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression with the Ukrainian government.

The German Defense Minister plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, in particular.