The Pentagon is finalizing a plan to send the Patriot system to Ukraine, CNN reported

project pentagon Still requires approval from the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Before it lands on the US president’s desk Joe Biden – CNN points out. According to television sources citing unnamed representatives of the US administration, officials are awaiting the head of state’s approval.

After the decision is announced, the Patriot battery will be sent to the US Army base in Grafenwoehr, Bavaria within days. Training for Ukrainian soldiers to use the system will begin there. Training of Ukrainians in NASAMS air defense systems provided by Washington in November lasted four months, writes CNN. It is not known which version of the system or how many batteries Ukraine will receive. Depending on the missiles used, it has a range of 30 to 160 kilometers. It will be the most effective long-range weapon system deployed to Ukraine to date. CNN insists it will help make the airspace safer NATO countries In Eastern Europe.

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Ryder noted that air defense systems so far donated by the United States and other countries, including NASAMS and the Hawk, have been used by Ukraine “to great effect.” “Without going into numbers, I can say that on several occasions we were able to intercept and destroy Russian missiles and drones,” he added.

Administration officials, including Pentagon chief Austin and the secretary of state Anthony BlinkenIt has recently been repeatedly emphasized that air defense is a priority when it comes to Ukraine’s security needs.

Pentagon spokesman Gen. Patrick Ryder said in late November The US has no plans to deliver patriots to Ukraine, although he hasn’t categorically ruled it out in the future. He also emphasized that replacement of any advanced air defense system requires thorough training and appropriate logistics.

Ukraine has been asking the US for months for a patriotic organization.

Despite the sanctions, “the reality of what’s happening on the ground” ultimately prompted the Biden administration to make the decision, a senior US official told CNN.

The MIM-104 Patriot is an air defense system used by the US military and many other countries. It was developed as a product of the American company Raytheon.

The Patriot has evolved over four decades – so far, three generations of missiles, two radars and, in recent years, a new command system have been developed for the system. The versions used by individual countries differ from each other.

All advanced air defense systems equipped with missiles are very expensive combat systems. In March 2018, Poland purchased two batteries of the Patriot system for $4.75 billion, making it the most expensive arms deal in the history of the Polish military to date. The latest Patriot missiles, designated PAC-3 MSE, cost several million dollars each, and Poland has purchased more than 200 of them.