What can Patriot systems do for Kyiv?
The US is apparently planning to deliver Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. A decision to this effect could be made public this week, US officials have informed Reuters. So far Kyiv's allies had been reluctant to make such deliveries, and Poland's plan to pass on German Patriot systems to Ukraine had been blocked by Berlin. Europe's press discusses the potential impact of these deliveries.
Groundbreaking from a military perspective
Polityka discusses the operational significance of the decision:
“This decision is groundbreaking precisely because radars and interceptor missiles that can operate effectively at ranges of about a hundred kilometres offer better detection and engagement capabilities. In comparison, short-range systems like Nasams or Iris-T have a range of 25 to 40 kilometres. The radius accessible by Ukraine will expand noticeably, and the (already limited) free radius of action for the Russian air force or long-range weapons (cruise missiles, drones) will shrink significantly.”
Important but not enough
It's high time Ukraine's air defences were strengthened, Deutschlandfunk agrees:
“Despite the purported shortages of missiles and cruise missiles, Moscow's invaders are still managing to make their attacks felt. The Ukrainian energy infrastructure is now so damaged that even single projectiles fired at power plants and high-voltage lines can worsen the already precarious situation. ... But the West must not stop at air defence systems. Long-range missiles have long been needed for counterattacks - and Britain has indicated that it is willing to provide them. Slovakia is apparently supplying fighter jets from its own arsenal - another step that was long overdue.”
Training will take months
Izvestia's military commentator Anton Lavrov doesn't expect the Patriots to be deployed any time soon:
“The problem for Kyiv is how long it will take to learn how to handle this complex system. Much time will pass between the announcement of the transfer plans and actual deployment in Ukraine. Unlike the uncomplicated M777 howitzer, the full training cycle for the Patriots takes many months. This is especially true for officers' training in tactical areas. After all, it's no coincidence that many countries have been dependent for years on 'borrowed' battalions of the US armed forces with exclusively American personnel. Understandably, this is not an option in Ukraine.”
A signal also directed at Germany
The US is once again being more consistent than Europe, Wprost comments:
“The signal from Washington is clear: there are no restrictions when it comes to supplying Ukraine with the weapons needed to defeat Russia. Let there be no doubt: this signal is not only directed at the Kremlin, but also at the European allies who are unwilling to work for a quick end to the war. This is especially true of Germany, which often makes embarrassing contortions regarding its military support for Kyiv.”