Ukraine to Receive Additional Patriot Air Defense System From Israel This Summer
Ukraine is expected to receive another U.S.-made Patriot air defense system this summer, which is currently undergoing refurbishment in Israel.
The Gaze reports on this with reference The New York Times citing four current and former American officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
The system from Israel is an older model but is being upgraded before its planned delivery. In addition to the Israeli unit, discussions are underway among Ukraine’s Western allies to potentially provide another Patriot system from Germany or Greece, the report says.
Pentagon officials declined to comment on whether this decision was made before or after President Donald Trump assumed office, citing the sensitive nature of the issue. However, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that it continues to supply Ukraine with military equipment from previously approved assistance packages.
This previously undisclosed transfer comes as Russia escalates its missile attacks on Ukraine, including the deadly strike on Kyiv on April 24. Last year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested seven additional Patriot batteries. While Ukraine currently operates eight systems, only six are fully functional; the other two are undergoing repairs. If both the Israeli and European transfers are completed, Ukraine could field up to 10 Patriot systems – primarily used to defend the capital and key infrastructure.
Because Patriot systems are U.S.-origin technology, all third-party transfers must be approved by Washington under U.S. export control laws. With only around 186 Patriot systems globally, these deployments are carefully prioritized depending on conflict zones and allied defense needs.
The U.S. first delivered a Patriot battery to Ukraine in April 2023. Despite Ukraine’s recent request to purchase additional units, President Trump has been publicly reluctant to support further deliveries. A single Patriot system costs approximately $1 billion and requires a trained crew of around 90 personnel.
The U.S. owns about one-third of all Patriot systems and has deployed many abroad to bolster defenses in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China and North Korea. Germany and Greece collectively operate about 15 Patriots.
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