Ukrainian soldiers to visit US for training on Patriot Missile system

Europe, News, US January 13, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Ukrainian soldiers will visit the United States to receive training on the Patriot Missile system after the U.S. promised to deliver one Patriot air defense system and its munitions to Ukraine.

U.S. Department of Defense Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “Training for Ukrainian forces on the Patriot air defense system will begin as soon as next week at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.”

Ryder said during a press conference that “The training will prepare approximately 90 to 100 Ukrainian soldiers to operate, maintain and sustain the defensive system over a training course expected to last several months.”

Pentagon press secretary highlighted that in recent months Russian military has increased aerial bombardment of Ukraine, and the Patriot air defense system will help the Ukrainian army stand up to that assault.

The Patriot Missile System can target both enemy missiles and aircraft. The surface-to-air missile system can effectively counter both cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles in the air before they hit their target.

The U.S. Air Force Brig. General Ryder said that “The Patriot will contribute to the air defense capabilities that Ukraine already has. It’s something that will enable them to take down … ballistic missiles, adversary aircraft; [it’s] really up to them on how they employ it. But this is part of a broader effort by the United States and the international community to provide Ukraine with the air defense capabilities that it needs to defend its population and its armed forces.”

Missiles. Drones. Enemy aircraft. Patriot can see and stop them all. Courtesy: Raytheon — *^{Patriot Missile Defense System can hit missiles, drones, and aircraft. (Image Credit: Raytheon)}*

“The training will be tailored to provide relevant tactics, techniques, and procedures based on the battlefield conditions in Ukraine to enable them to employ that to maximum effect once they are back in Ukraine,” Ryder said.

During their training in the U.S., the Ukrainian soldiers will attend classes, get hands-on training with the Patriot systems, and work in a simulation lab, the Pentagon press secretary said. Ryder added that the training will also focus on “what the Ukrainians will need once they are back home.”

The U.S. Department of Defense release highlighted the United States’ efforts and support to Ukraine which includes more than $24.2 billion in security assistance for the country. “That assistance has included ammunition, vehicles, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, radar systems, small arms, artillery, air defense systems, anti-aircraft, and anti-armor systems,” the statement read.

*^{Patriot air defense missile system firing a missile during a German-led Artemis Strike tactical live fire exercise. (Image Credit: Anthony Sweeney/U.S. Army Europe)}*

Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense unveiled the country’s largest military aid package for Ukraine, worth $3.75 billion. The military aid package largely consists of weapons and equipment from the U.S. inventories valued at up to $2.85 billion and there is an additional $225 million in foreign military financing to contribute to the long-term capacity and modernization of Ukraine’s military.

The military package includes at least 50 M2-A2 Bradley Armored Fighting Vehicles for the Ukrainian military. The armored vehicles can transport infantry troops into the combat zones with armor protection. Apart from the Bradley vehicles, the package also includes 18 155 mm self-propelled Howitzer, 100 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers, 500 precision-guided 155 mm artillery rounds, as well as additional ammunition for the HIMARS air defense systems, and RIM-7 and 4,000 Zuni aircraft rockets.