Ukraine 'calls' for Israel's Patriot system

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on April 30 that the Israel Air Force (IDF) will gradually phase out Patriot air defense systems within the next two months to switch to more modern domestic air defense systems such as Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow.

The Israeli Defense Ministry has not made any specific announcements about future plans for these systems after they are decommissioned.

A Patriot missile defense system is seen in Warsaw, Poland on February 7, 2023.

Immediately after the above information, Ukraine spoke up to suggest that Israel transfer this system. Specifically, responding to Newsweek on May 1, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament Oleksandr Merezhko said: "It would be reasonable if Israel provided us with their Patriot system, because it would help us destroy Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by Russia. We are happy to receive any type of weapon that can help us protect cities and intercept Russian missiles and UAVs."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country needs at least seven more Patriot systems or other equivalents to protect cities and frontline positions from near-constant Russian missile, drone and glide bomb attacks. Zelensky said Ukraine needs 25 such systems to cover the entire country.

US buys more than 80 'disused' Soviet-era fighter jets from Kazakhstan?

On the front line, having more Patriots would be a “lifesaver” for the Ukrainian military. “Kyiv desperately needs Patriots to stop Russian warplanes armed with glide bombs from attacking the city of Kharkiv,” said Ivan Stupak, a former officer of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and now an adviser to the Ukrainian parliament’s national security, defense and intelligence committee.

There is no specific information yet on whether Ukraine has negotiated with the US or Israel to purchase these missile systems.

Previously, on April 13, Germany said it would provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system, bringing the total number of Patriots provided by Germany to three. At the same time, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the country was ready to buy more Patriots from third countries and send them to Ukraine.

In addition, the US and Ukraine are negotiating to develop joint Patriot production capacity. Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova said on April 23 that this issue was one of the main topics of discussion during Zelensky's most recent visit to the US.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/ukraine-danh-tieng-xin-he-thong-patriot-cua-israel-185240502102527843.htm