Exclusive: US finalizing plans to send Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine

Exclusive: US finalizing plans to send Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine
By Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent
Updated 12:19 PM EST, Tue December 13, 2022

The Biden administration is finalizing plans to send the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine that could be announced as soon as this week, according to two US officials and a senior administration official.

The Pentagon’s plan still needs to be approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before it is sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. The three officials told CNN that approval is expected.

Ukraine has been calling for the US to send the advanced long-range air defense system that is highly effective at intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles as it comes under a barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks that have destroyed key infrastructure across the country. It would be the most effective long-range defensive weapons system sent to the country and officials say it will help secure airspace for NATO nations in eastern Europe.

... https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/13/politics/us-patriot-missile-defense-system-ukraine/index.html​

This is a pretty significant development. Should have been done long, LONG ago, but at least it is finally going to happen. Ukraine's critical infrastructure must be protected against Russia's ongoing terror campaign.

 

Yep...saw the clip on CNN....some serious firepower headed that way....hope some Abrams and Leopard tanks make it there.....a few A10s wouldn't hurt....a few bursts of 5000 rpms would make the orc body count pile up really fast.

I'm hearing that the Mafiosi is now transporting out all injured orcs outta the occupied areas to Crimea....there's simply not enough space in hospitals or anywhere...on-site treatment or nearby is far too dangerous since most areas are within HIMARS range.

 

I do hope they'll get A-10s at some point. They might as well have them since we're looking to retire them anyway. I don't know how practical Abrams would be since they're very large and heavy and run on weird fuel, but I think Leopards would be a great choice.

 

Tanks have become almost obsolete in modern tech war. mostly just targets.

 

Leopards are great....probably more mobile that Abrams.

The Abrams packs a mean punch....that bit** can take out 50 Russki tanks before its paint gets scratched...I've helped change a track on one side of one of them at DS ....that one had a gasoline turbine engine Honeywell AGT1500 multi fuel turbine engine 1500 hp...if I remember right....but those beasts has their own techs to work on them.

 

It will depend on the situation and how well the tank is used. They have been vulnerable for as long as anti-tank weapons have existed, and that is a long time.

 

A very expensive target.

 

Sure....but like the Terminator...very tough, and won't stop until you're dead.

 

3 hr 10 min ago
World leaders are pledging weapons and aid to Ukraine. Here are the latest headlines.

From CNN staff

The United States could soon be sending the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, once plans are approved and finalized, officials said. Ukraine has been calling for the US to send the advanced long-range air defense system that is highly effective at intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles for months. Across the globe, the European Union is also pledging their support — announcing a $19 billion aid package to Ukraine.

It comes after central Ukraine was hit with heavy artillery and missiles overnight, according to a regional official. A key bridge is also being targeted.

Here are the top headlines today:

• Aid from the European Union: Member states have agreed plans to provide a $19 billion aid package for Ukraine in 2023 after Hungary dropped its opposition in return for funding from the EU. Hungary had initially blocked the package last week, amid a long running standoff — Brussels had called for EU funds for Hungary be frozen due to concerns over corruption and insufficient reforms to strengthen the rule of law.
• Defense from the US: The Biden administration is finalizing plans to send the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine that could be announced as soon as this week, according to two US officials and a senior administration official. It would be the most effective long-range defensive weapons system sent to the country and officials say it will help secure airspace for NATO nations in eastern Europe. Ukraine has been asking for the system for months but the logistical challenges of delivering it and operating it are immense.
• Potential next moves from Russia: Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, said Russia’s capability to launch a “large offensive may be restored" by the end of January or February. Kuleba said there are signs that Russia still has its sights set on larger portions of Ukraine. On the state of the war now, Kuleba said Russia’s huge missile attacks have turned the “entire country into a frontline."
• Key Melitopol bridge targeted: A bridge essential to the resupply of Russian forces occupying the city of Melitopol in southern Ukraine was targeted by strikes overnight, according to both Ukrainian and Russian officials. The bridge appears to have buckled or collapsed inwards in a video posted online. Russian-installed administrators claim "two explosive devices" were used to blow up part of the bridge. It is part of the M14 highway, which runs along Ukraine’s southern coastline from Melitopol to Berdiansk and Mariupol to the east before reaching the Russian Federation.
• Belarus announces military drills: The Belarusian Defense Ministry has announced snap military drills across the country. "A sudden inspection of combat readiness has begun under the leadership of the State Secretariat of the Security Council," said the ministry in a short statement. Belarus shares Ukraine's northern border, which was used as a platform by Russian troops during the invasion in February.

Live updates: https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-12-13-22/index.html

 

Seems like the asiatic moscals are crapping with news of Patriots arriving?....

 

Are they? I haven't seen or heard anything about that.

 

They're not too impressed by Patriots showing up in Ukraine?

I think we could add the 350 mi HIMARS.

 

From your article:

"Unlike smaller air defense systems, Patriot missile batteries need much larger crews, requiring dozens of personnel to properly operate them. The training for Patriot missile batteries normally takes multiple months, a process the United States will now carry out under the pressure of near-daily aerial attacks from Russia."

So does this mean that the US is going to train Ukrainian Patriot crews, in Ukraine, or is the US going to operate the Patriots while training Ukrainian crews...in Ukraine?

Seems like we are inching closer to a hot war. Imagine the Russians attack Patriot positions in Ukraine before they become active and kill Americans?

 

OR the Ukranian Patriot crews are going to train in places like Poland or Romania with NATO trainers from nations that already operate them. That may or may not involve US personnel and does not require any Americans to be in Ukraine.

No inching, no hot war. Easy.

 

A-10s are great against people who don't have sophisitcated Air Defence systems or decent aircraft. Even with the gaping flaws in current Russian efforts they would basically be targets. Time to move on from the A-10, it has had its time. Ukraine would be better off with a high quality AD network and modern jets - F-16s, F-18s, Rafaele, Gripen or even F-35s one day.

Leos are probably a better option, but will be messy to integrate.

 

Possibly...I think Ukrainian crews have been trained/are training on Patriot systems in NATO countries....unless Mafiosi is suicidal enough to attack those....mind you a missile hit Poland earlier....so anything possible.

 

It already is a "hot war" of sorts....NATO hardware flooding into Ukraine....Ukraine hitting targets in Russia....stray missile hitting Poland, killing those on the ground.

I'm waiting for the next "strays" to land somewhere in NATO territory.

 

I'm sure this has long been taken into consideration, Misha.

If Putler wants to start a hot war with us over, so be it. He can start it and we can finish it.

 

The Russians are already the aggressors attacking Ukraine daily. They are fair game for whatever comes back at them.

 

Dwarfstans military is getting depleted....40% is already destroyed...40% is AWOL,POW, or injured,20 % is left back for riots and insurrection back home.

 

Like tanks, the A-10 would need to be used intelligently with proper cover. Both sides are still using the Su-25 to some effect, so why not the A-10?

 

Very true.

Putin is running out of troops to launch attacks on Ukraine

 

Way overdue

 

The US could train Patriot crews in Poland. Putin may belch but he will not dare attack American or any NATO troops. It is way past the time for NATO and the US to stop fearing the Putin.

 

US set to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Retired general explains the impact