House of Representatives of Netherlands votes to provide Patriot systems to Ukraine

According to NOS, the majority of representatives of the Dutch parliament supported the transfer of the Patriot air defense system. MP from the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Peter Valstar, during the discussion of the decision, recalled the tragedy in the city of Dnipro, where a Russian missile hit a high-rise building and killed 46 people.

“You see that Ukraine must always defend itself against missiles from Russia. Patriots can play an important role here. So do your part,” the politician said.

At the same time, the parliamentarians discussed whether the transfer of air defense systems would weaken the air defense of the Netherlands. The country currently has four Patriot systems, each consisting of a radar, a fire control center and multiple launchers.

• Earlier, Prime Minister Mark Rutte told US President Joe Biden that the Netherlands will offer Ukraine the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, following the United States and Germany.

• On January 17, the Ukrainian military arrived at the US Army base in Oklahoma for training on the Patriot air defense system.

• On December 21, 2022, the United States announced the decision to transfer the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The Patriot air defense system is capable of shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at much higher altitudes than air defense systems previously provided to Ukraine.