Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukrainian cities have once again raised the issue of the shortage of relevant missile defense systems. And Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again reminded partners that not all agreements on the transfer of relevant air defense systems had been reached.
'The Patriot systems, which are now simply sitting somewhere in storage with partners, should actually protect lives,' emphasized the Ukrainian president in his address on April 6.
This refers to Ukraine's request made exactly one year ago to transfer seven more Patriot batteries. However, this was not about fulfilling all the needs, because, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last year, 25 batteries are needed for 100% protection. As of spring 2024, Ukraine had only three Patriots: one each from the USA and Germany in assembly, and Germany, along with the Netherlands, also provided one 'shared.' Similarly, one SAMP/T was transferred from Italy and France, reports Defense Express.
Since then, despite the efforts of partners, Ukraine has received only three full batteries and 'half.' One additional Patriot each from the USA and Germany, and, unexpectedly, from Romania, as the country had only recently received them, which was previously considered impossible. Meanwhile, the Netherlands could not find a partner to form another shared battery, so they transferred 'half' a battery: a radar and three launchers.
Therefore, based on publicly available information, after the spring reinforcement, Ukraine received three full batteries and 'half,' meaning exactly 50% of the requested seven Patriot air defense systems. The total number of Patriots in Ukraine now stands at about 6 batteries of various configurations. This is compared to the declared total need of 25 batteries or, at a minimum, 10. It is worth noting that Italy promised to add one more SAMP/T independently this time. However, the further we go, the less confidence there is that this system can effectively combat ballistic missiles. At the very least, state officials are currently only calling for American air defense systems. In any case, the discussion is now about two more SAMP/T in the ranks of Ukraine's defense forces.
But even with the six Patriot batteries that are definitely known to be in place, a problem has emerged that is much more significant than the shortage of the air defense systems themselves in Ukraine. This is the shortage of missiles for them. This was indirectly reported by Zelenskyy on February 19 this year:
'The commander calls me and says: 'We are now near this city, and we have no missiles for the Patriot systems, we have exhausted them.''
Thus, if partners cannot supply missiles for six Patriot batteries, then the presence of additional air defense systems without the corresponding missiles won't change much. And clearly, everything hinges on the unwillingness of partners—likely referring only to the USA—to ensure the proper supply of missiles for this system.
