Old Israeli Patriot Missiles Systems Might be Supplied to Ukraine
A decision has not yet been made, but the Biden administration hopes that Israel will provide Ukraine with this important air defense against Russian attacks
Dan Arkin
| 01/07/2024
Patriot missile batteries near Tel Aviv, 1998. Photo: Reuters
The Biden administration is holding discussions with Israel and Ukraine regarding the possibility of transferring old Patriot air defense systems from Israel to Ukraine, a senior U.S. administration official told CNN over the weekend. He emphasized that the U.S. is urgently working to provide Kyiv with air defense systems against Russia.
A final decision on supplying Patriot systems from Israel to Kyiv has not yet been made, and logistical aspects are currently being discussed. The source mentioned that there is hope this effort will succeed. The U.S. and Germany have already sent Patriot batteries to Ukraine, but the U.S. administration clarifies that Kyiv needs additional batteries.
CNN reported that the systems from Israel would first be sent to the U.S. for upgrades before being transferred to Kyiv. If the deal goes through, it would mark a shift in Israel's stance, which has so far avoided overt action against Russia.
President Zelensky requested two months after the Russian invasion that Israel provide him with Iron Dome batteries, but Israel replied that it was willing to help Kyiv develop an air defense system but not supply the Iron Dome. This proposal did not materialize.
In April, the IDF announced the decommissioning of the Patriot systems, which were first deployed in Israel in 1991.
A decision has not yet been made, but the Biden administration hopes that Israel will provide Ukraine with this important air defense against Russian attacks
Patriot missile batteries near Tel Aviv, 1998. Photo: Reuters
The Biden administration is holding discussions with Israel and Ukraine regarding the possibility of transferring old Patriot air defense systems from Israel to Ukraine, a senior U.S. administration official told CNN over the weekend. He emphasized that the U.S. is urgently working to provide Kyiv with air defense systems against Russia.
A final decision on supplying Patriot systems from Israel to Kyiv has not yet been made, and logistical aspects are currently being discussed. The source mentioned that there is hope this effort will succeed. The U.S. and Germany have already sent Patriot batteries to Ukraine, but the U.S. administration clarifies that Kyiv needs additional batteries.
CNN reported that the systems from Israel would first be sent to the U.S. for upgrades before being transferred to Kyiv. If the deal goes through, it would mark a shift in Israel's stance, which has so far avoided overt action against Russia.
President Zelensky requested two months after the Russian invasion that Israel provide him with Iron Dome batteries, but Israel replied that it was willing to help Kyiv develop an air defense system but not supply the Iron Dome. This proposal did not materialize.
In April, the IDF announced the decommissioning of the Patriot systems, which were first deployed in Israel in 1991.
