Spain has delivered to Ukraine another batch of anti-aircraft missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Kyiv has called for more air defenses to cope with the continuous hail of ballistic missiles, bombs and drones launched by Moscow, which have devastated civilian and energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine.
Spanish government sources told the newspaper El Mundo that a second batch of missiles had arrived last Friday for the surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. A first batch of Patriot missiles came from Spain at the end of April. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said last month during a meeting of Kyiv’s allies that Madrid would provide a “significant” delivery of military aid.
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There are European-made alternatives to Patriot air defense systems, such as NASAMS, HAWK, or S-300 platforms. However, the U.S.-made systems are viewed as the most effective against Russian attacks due to their radar system and mobile launchers that can fire interceptor missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously mentioned an agreement with Spain regarding assistance in strengthening air defense without providing further details.
Last month, sources told another Spanish newspaper, El Pais, about Madrid sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine, as well as German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks, anti-drone systems and ammunition, as part of a $1.23 billion package.
The Spanish government did not confirm the El Pais piece, and Newsweek has contacted the Spanish Foreign Ministry for comment on the latest report.
Ukraine has at least four Patriot systems at present, the U.K. newspaper Financial Times reported, but Zelensky said in April that 25 of the systems were needed with six to eight batteries each “to protect Ukraine completely.”
Other European countries have Patriot systems on order, including Switzerland and Sweden. Meanwhile, Germany promised three of its 11 Patriot batteries, along with 50 Gepard shorter-range air defense systems and air-to-air missiles, Politico reported.
However, the U.S. is pausing the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles to other nations to bring Ukraine to the front of the queue so it can fight Russian aggression.
Last Thursday, U.S. National Security Council Adviser John Kirby said that Washington would “reprioritize the deliveries of these exports” to Ukraine, which included NASAM missiles.
Washington will soon announce another military aid package for Ukraine worth about $150 million, per The Associated Press citing sources. It will include new HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) rockets, anti-armor weaponry, grenades and shells.
At the start of June, the U.S. allowed Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons, including HIMARS rockets, to strike targets in Russia located near the border with Kharkiv Oblast.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.