The Netherlands will only transfer its own Patriot system components to Ukraine after failing to secure support from allies for forming a joint Patriot battery.
According to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brinkman, the Netherlands had initially planned to collaborate with allies to form a combined Patriot missile battery for Ukraine. In late May, the Dutch government announced the allocation of three launchers and an AN/MPQ-53 radar system for this project, with other countries expected to contribute a control station, additional launchers, and support equipment.
However, three months later, no allied countries joined the project. Consequently, the Netherlands decided to provide the allocated components without completing the formation of a separate Patriot battery.
“We recently delivered a radar for the Patriot system to Ukraine. Additionally, we will soon transfer three launchers. Kyiv can use these components immediately, integrating them into existing Patriot systems,” Brinkman stated.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brinkman stated that the Netherlands will continue to seek partners to complete the Patriot battery project by acquiring additional components from other countries.
“We aim to find other nations willing to provide individual elements to form a complete system. We are still working on this and discussing it with various partners. There are opportunities, but also challenges. Unfortunately, there is a global shortage of Patriot systems,” Brinkman said.
While transferring Patriot air defense components from its own armed forces to Ukraine, the Netherlands is attempting to offset these losses by ordering new systems. In August, the country ordered two new M903LS launchers for the Patriot system and plans to upgrade two existing M901 launchers to this level.
