Netherlands to deploy Patriot system close to Russia

The Netherlands said in a press release that the weeks-long exercise, aimed at strengthening air defenses along the alliance’s eastern flank, was necessary. The main objective was to assess NATO’s ability to rapidly transport and deploy air defense systems to designated areas.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said that the decision to deploy the US-made system near the Russian border was aimed at strengthening NATO's air defense readiness, according to a statement on the Dutch Defense Ministry website.

German Patriot air defense system, at Vilnius airport (Lithuania) in July 2023

According to RT on March 31, Lithuania expressed excitement about the upcoming NATO exercise and noted that the Netherlands will train on how to redeploy air defense units together with the Vilnius army.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas stressed the importance of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) for the security of the Baltic states, and urged more exercises involving NATO aircraft and ground-based air defense systems in Lithuania.

The timing of the Dutch Patriot deployment in Lithuania is currently unknown. A Patriot air defense system battery consists of several components such as radars, antennas, fire control and support vehicles, along with eight launchers equipped with interceptor missiles. Along with the United States and Germany, the Netherlands is one of the few countries that has provided two Patriot launchers to Ukraine.

The deployment of the Patriot system will begin after NATO's ongoing military exercise "Steadfast Defender 2024". This is one of the bloc's largest exercises in decades, involving about 90,000 troops, more than 1,000 combat vehicles, 50 naval vessels, 80 helicopters, drones and fighter jets from 32 member states.

In response, Russia has criticized NATO's increased military spending and increased military exercises as signs of "aggression" by the bloc. According to Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev, these exercises simulate scenarios of armed confrontation with Russia, exacerbate tensions and destabilize the global security dynamics.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/ha-lan-sap-trien-khai-he-thong-patriot-sat-suon-nga-185240331170556629.htm