Poland refutes statement on arrival of anti-aircraft warfare system Patriot in Ukraine
Ukraine has already received US Patriot air defence systems. This was stated by Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, according to LA RAZÓN.
"Thanks to the efforts of Poland, Ukraine received, in particular, Patriot batteries and the first Leopard tanks," the Polish minister said, noting that Poland was not only the main point of transfer of aid to Ukraine, but also one of the largest donors.
The publication notes that Poland is one of the countries most affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as the war is taking place right on its borders. The country has already transferred more than €2.2 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Polish Ministry of Defence clarified the minister's words about Patriot air defence systems. They noted that Blaszczak meant that the decision to transfer the battery was made thanks to Poland's efforts. Journalists interpreted this as evidence that the system is already in Ukraine, Ukrinform reported.
Air Force spokesman Colonel Yuriy Ihnat said during the telethon: "Of course, Patriot will be in Ukraine. The decision has been made, people are training... When you see the Air Force commander testing the Patriot, it will definitely be in Ukraine. Otherwise, we will report on the first Russian plane that will be shot down by that Patriot."
As a reminder, on December 21, 2022, the United States announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine worth almost two billion dollars. This package included Patriot air defence systems.
What is known about the MIM-104 Patriot
The next aid package to Ukraine is expected to include MIM-104 Patriot air defence systems, an American air defence missile system used by the US Army and its allies. It has been manufactured by Raytheon since 1963 in the United States to replace the MIM-14 Nike Hercules system as the primary medium- and high-altitude air defence platform and the MIM-23 Hawk system as the medium-altitude tactical air defence platform.
The Patriot is a ballistic missile interceptor platform, and with the advent of the PAC-3, this task is the main purpose of the complex. In October 1980, a contract for the production of the system was signed, and in December 1981, the system was delivered to the troops.
The name of the Patriot system can also be interpreted as an acronym for "Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept Of Target."
The cost of supplying 9 batteries (4 units per battery) of the systems can reach up to $9 billion (includes: 36 Patriot PAC-3 launchers (9 batteries of 4 launchers each), 288 Patriot PAC-3 launchers, 216 GEM-T advanced guidance launchers, 10 sets of radars with phased array antennas, 10 target acquisition control stations).
Specifications of the MIM-104 Patriot
- maximum target interception range - 80km;
- minimum target interception range - 3km;
- maximum target interception height - 24km;
- minimum target interception height - 0.06km;
- Number of targets that can be fired simultaneously - 8 (in the 90° sector);
- maximum target speed - 2200 m/s;
- missile diameter - 254 mm;
- missile length - 5010 mm;
- missile weight - 318 kg.
On February 24, 2023, it became known that the first Leopard 2 battle tanks arrived in Ukraine from Poland.
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