Global Courant
BERLIN
Poland on Monday called for the deployment of German Patriot anti-aircraft systems near the war-torn Ukraine border to be extended until at least the end of 2023.
“We are interested in keeping Patriot systems on Polish soil until the end of the year,” Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said in a press statement with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, in the city of Zamosc, where the systems are deployed.
Pistorius made no further commitments on the matter, but said “we must not give up our support for Ukraine”, adding that “it is important for Sweden to become a NATO member as soon as possible”, referring to the Scandinavian country’s bid to join. The Alliance is currently on hold due to Turkey’s security concerns.
Blaszczak said Poland now faces an even greater threat because of Russia’s nuclear weapons and the recent transfer of warplanes from the Wagner Group to Belarus.
Initially, the German Patriots were stationed in Zamosc only until the end of June.
There had been political conflict between Berlin and Warsaw over the deployment. The then Defense Minister, Christine Lambrecht, agreed with Blaszczak to transfer the German Patriots to Poland. Later, however, Warsaw suggested that Germany should deploy the Patriots in Ukraine, and this caused great unease in Berlin. Then both sides finally agreed.
It is still unclear, however, how the Patriots will continue to be deployed in Poland. Three in Slovakia and one of the other two German systems are currently in Lithuania for security during the NATO summit scheduled for next week. According to reports, negotiations are continuing for the repair of Leopard tanks and Patriots.
The Patriots (“Progressive Array Tracking Radar for Target Interception”) is one of the most modern air defense systems. They can fight enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. At a distance of approximately 100 kilometers (62 mi) and up to 30 km (18.6 mi) altitude, defensive missiles can hit targets in an imaginary bell around the location, depending on the guided missile used.
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