Zelenskyy: Ukraine needs at least 25 Patriot-systems for "complete security"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy updated his statements on the minimum number of Patriot-systems required for the protection of the entire country. According to our military's opinion, we need 25 Patriot-systems to fully secure Ukraine, he said at a press conference in Kiev.
Zelenskyy avoided mentioning the number of existing Patriot-systems in Ukraine. He also emphasized that for a complex air defense system, systems of other ranges and capabilities are necessary. He also reminded that during the recent NATO summit in Washington, five additional Patriot batteries or comparable systems were promised.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has received at least four Patriot-systems, including three solely from Germany. According to media reports, several launchers have been destroyed or damaged by Russian air strikes. A complete system consisting of radar, antennas, fire control and command center, and several launchers costs several hundred million Euros converted. The price for a modern air defense rocket is reportedly around three million Euros.
Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian invasion since February 2022 with Western help. Ukraine's air defense has been supplemented by modern systems, mainly from Germany. However, the air defense is regularly breached by Russian rockets and drones. For instance, media reported that a weapons factory in the center of Kiev was hit by several rockets during a Russian attack last week. A rocket also hit a children's hospital. At least 30 people were killed according to official reports.
Zelenskyy expressed the need for at least 25 Patriot-systems from Patriot-Systems to fully secure Ukraine during the Ukraine-War, as highlighted in his statements at a press conference. Despite receiving at least four Patriot-systems, including three from Germany, the existing systems have faced damage due to Russian air strikes, increasing the importance of further acquisitions.
