NATO partners announce 5 strategic air defense systems for Ukraine

The White House press service reported the information.

The countries declared that they are committed to providing Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities as it defends itself against Russia's continued aggression, including Russia's deliberate attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian and critical infrastructure. 

“Today, we are announcing that, collectively, we are providing Ukraine with additional strategic air defense systems, including additional Patriot batteries donated by the United States, Germany, and Romania; Patriot components donated by the Netherlands and other partners to enable the operation of an additional Patriot battery; and an additional SAMP-T system donated by Italy. These five strategic air defense systems will help to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians, and soldiers, and we are coordinating closely with the Ukrainian government so that these systems can be utilized rapidly. We are working on a further announcement this year of additional strategic air defense systems for Ukraine,”  the White House emphasized.

In addition, in the coming months, the United States and partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of tactical air defense systems, including NASAMS, HAWK, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS, and Gepard systems.

Notably, the supply of 4 of the 5 systems announced by Biden had already been previously reported. Earlier, President Zelenskyy mentioned that a Patriot system from Germany was already in Ukraine. The supply of the Patriot system from the Netherlands was announced by the new Minister of Defense, Ruben Brekelmans, and Foreign Minister, Caspar Veldkamp, during their visit to Kyiv. Additionally, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, had previously announced the supply of a Patriot system from Romania to Ukraine.

Biden announced the delivery of one new Patriot air defense system to be provided by the United States and dozens of shorter-range systems.

These systems will further expand and strengthen the coverage of Ukraine's air defense, the US presidential administration noted. Several Allies, including Canada, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, will continue to play an important role in providing these systems, and many other supporters of Ukraine will help provide interceptors.

For its part, the United States will reconfigure planned deliveries of critical air defense interceptors to foreign militaries in coordination with partners to be delivered to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with hundreds of additional air defense interceptors over the next year, the press service assured.

“As we strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, we are grateful to the coalition of more than 50 countries that continues to provide security assistance to Ukraine, as well as to the Immediate Action on Air Defense Initiative – to which partners have pledged more than $1 billion in support of air defense for Ukraine – and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Capability Coalition, co-led by Germany and France. We also welcome NATO’s work to support Ukraine’s efforts to develop a NATO-interoperable integrated air and missile defense architecture. Our message to Moscow and the world is clear: Our support for Ukraine is strong and unwavering,” the statement summarizes.

Zelenskyy's response

At the Ronald Reagan Institute, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for the new Patriot systems, but said Ukraine needs more.

The President emphasized that Russia is using different types of new weapons.

"We also have to move forward, take serious steps on air defense of different types, more than one type," he said.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that at the July 9-11 North Atlantic Alliance summit in Washington, D.C., there will be a "very powerful" package of aid to Ukraine.