NATO member states have begun transferring Patriot air defense systems to Slovakia in an effort to bolster defenses amid the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"I am pleased to announce that the first units in charge of deploying the Patriot air defense system are gradually arriving in Slovakia," Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad told Reuters on March 20. NATO members will continue to ship Patriot components to Slovakia in the coming days.
Minister Nad further noted that this Patriot system is intended to supplement, not replace, the S-300 system that Slovakia is operating.
"The initial Patriot complex will be deployed at the Sliac airbase, further areas are being consulted so that the defense grid covers the largest possible area of Slovak territory," Nad said. adds that the system will be operated by German and Dutch troops.
The Patriot missile defense system, also known as the "Iron Shield", is a state-of-the-art weapon of the US military. Patriot uses an interceptor missile system and the most advanced radar set. Patriot has a combat range of 30-160km depending on the variant. The upgraded variant of Patriot PAC uses advanced technology that allows the missile to be lighter in weight, and the warhead can be equipped with more electronic equipment for the task of finding and destroying targets. Patriot is designed to destroy short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.
The US has sold some Patriot defense systems to a number of allies such as Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Spain.
Information about Patriot deployment in Slovakia comes in the context of NATO's efforts to strengthen defenses on the alliance's eastern flank amid the tense Russia-Ukraine war. Earlier, the US also announced that it would deploy two Patriot batteries in Poland, a NATO member and also a neighbor of Ukraine.
Slovakia is a member of NATO and the EU, shares a border with Ukraine stretching 100 km. Last week, Slovakia announced that it was ready to immediately supply Ukraine with the only S-300 defense system on the condition that NATO compensate Slovakia for its defensive capabilities. Ukraine has repeatedly asked the West to support defense systems similar to the S-300, however, one drawback of this system is its dependence on Moscow because the S-300's missiles are only supplied by defense companies. of Russian production.
On the Russian side, Russian officials asked countries not to provide S-300s to Kiev, and warned that any vehicle carrying foreign weapons to Ukraine could become a "legitimate target" of the forces. Russia.
Since Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, the US and its NATO allies have continuously provided weapons to Kiev, and warned that it would activate the "collective defense" clause in the event of a conflict. spread to NATO territory.
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