The development would represent the Biden administration’s most significant step so far to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. While the United States has provided more than $20 billion in arms and military equipment to Ukraine since the war began in late February, it has steadfastly resisted sending some of its most advanced weaponry, including long-range missiles, fighter jets and battle tanks, with senior officials saying previously they want to avoid making moves Moscow could deem escalatory or otherwise would require extensive training for Ukrainian troops.
The United States has taken other steps to improve Ukrainian air defenses, including sending two National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, last month. The Pentagon signed a $1.2 billion contract with Raytheon in November to send six more NASAMS to Ukraine, but it is expected to take up to two years to build them. U.S. officials also helped broker a deal with Slovakia, a NATO ally, to send its only S-300 air-defense system to Ukraine in exchange for Patriot units.
It was not clear Tuesday what precisely may have influenced the Biden administration’s thinking on sending the Patriot after months of having assessed that it was not necessary or possible. A Pentagon spokesman, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, said he had nothing announce on the issue. The news was first reported by CNN.
The Patriot system relies on sophisticated radar to detect incoming projectiles and fires long-range missiles to intercept them. Its launchers sit on a truck chassis and are highly mobile. About 90 troops are assigned to a typical Patriot battery, which includes up to eight launchers that each hold four ready-to-fire missiles. Only three soldiers are needed to operate and fire the missiles in the Patriot’s engagement control station, according to the U.S. Army.
It has become a backbone of defense for many U.S. allies and partners. The United States has its own Patriot units deployed to countries that include Poland and Saudi Arabia, and has approved the sale of the weapons to others like Romania, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, said Monday that the Biden administration wants to blunt “any Russian effort” to gain an upper hand in Ukraine, “whether it’s military advantage or advantage through brutalizing and destroying civilian infrastructure.”
The U.S. government’s focus, he said, “is going to be upon those things that actually represent a genuine threat to Ukraine and the people of Ukraine,” adding that additional announcements of military support are likely in “coming days.”
Group of Seven countries said in a joint statement this week that they would continue to coordinate efforts to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs, “with an immediate focus on providing Ukraine with air defense systems and capabilities.”