Ukraine-Russia War: What are the Patriot missile systems-Raksha system Kiev will get in American military aid
US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that Ukraine would receive the Patriot missile system as part of a new American military aid package, welcomed warmly to Kiev as it faces tireless Russian drone and missile attacks.Ukrainian President Volodimier Zelanski has repeatedly requested more Patriot systems in recent weeks, warning that Russia’s intense night bombings are to terrorize cities and towns.However, Trump did not specify how many Patriot missile systems would receive Ukraine, when they arrive or who would provide them.
What are Patriot missile systems?
The Patriot missile system (small for an array tracking radar for intercept on target) is the primary missile defense system of the US Army. According to CNN, short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at a height of up to 15 kilometers are designed.Last month, the system was credited with shooting 13 out of 14 Iranian missiles launched at the US Air Force’s Al Udid Air Base in Qatar.A Patriot battery consists of six to eight missile launchers, each of which has 16 interceptor missiles. It also has a phased-sensory radar, a control station and a power unit. According to US military reports, around 90 personnel are assigned to operate a battery, but only three soldiers in the command center are required to run it during the war.
High cost and limited coverage:
Patriot systems are expensive. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the cost of a full battery can exceed $ 1 billion, the cost of each interceptor missile can be up to $ 4 million.This makes them problematic against cheap Russian drones, as those people can cost around $ 50,000, especially since Russia is launching hundreds of drones during recent attacks.Analysts also note that a single Patriot could cover only 100 to 200 square kilometers away depending on the battery area and setup. Given Ukraine’s vast area of more than 630,000 square kilometers, Kiev says that it requires at least 10 new batteries to improve its safety.Ukraine has already received six Patriot batteries: two from America, two from Germany, one from Romania and one jointly by Germany and Netherlands.
Efforts to speed up delivery:
To speed up delivery, US officials said the Patriot system could be sent to Ukraine from European NATO and was later replaced with a new system purchased from the United States.According to the “Military Balance 2025” by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, there are six NATO colleagues, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Patriot batteries in his arsenal in Spain.NATO general secretary Mark Rute said on Monday that countries including Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway may be a possible supplier of new military aid. American military leaders have expressed concern that there are not enough patriot systems to meet all demands.General James Mingus, Army Vice Chief of Staff, recently described the Patriot Force as the “most stressed force element” of the army. He said that the Patriot unit in Qatar was deployed in the Middle East for 500 days.Retired US Army General and former Supreme Commander of NATO Vesley Clarke told CNN that to make a real impact on the battlefield, military support should go beyond air defense systems.“If you really want to stop it, you have to attack Russia and you have found to strike a deep strike,” Clarke said. “You have to shoot Archer, not just going to arrow.”
