Biden To Send Additional Patriot Systems to Bolster Ukraine's Defence

President Joe Biden is set to announce an additional Patriot missile system for Ukraine to strengthen its air defences against Russian airstrikes. This aid is part of a USD 225 million package, with systems sourced from US military stocks. The announcement follows a plea from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for more defences.

President Joe Biden is expected to announce that the US will provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot missile system, aiming to fortify its air defences amid ongoing Russian airstrikes, including a recent attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv.

According to two US officials, the new battery is part of a USD 225 million aid package, which will be disclosed during Biden's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. This will be the second Patriot air defence system supplied by the US to Ukraine. AP reported in June that the US would supply an additional Patriot system at a later date.

The officials, speaking under the condition of anonymity, revealed that the additional system would be funded through presidential drawdown authority, enabling the swift transfer of the system from military stocks to Ukraine.

Last month, Zelenskyy requested more US-made Patriot systems, stating they are crucial for combating the approximately 3,000 bombs Russia launches into Ukraine each month.

Biden's announcement is part of a series of pledges at this week's NATO summit in Washington to provide Ukraine with needed weaponry to defend itself from Russian aggression.

On Tuesday, a joint statement from the US, Germany, and Romania confirmed their commitment to providing Ukraine with Patriot batteries. The Netherlands and other allies will supply Patriot components to complete another battery, while Italy will contribute a SAMP-T air defence system.

Other supporting nations, including Canada, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, plan to offer various defence systems to broaden Ukraine's defensive capabilities. These systems include NASAMS, HAWKs, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS, and Gepards, with several countries agreeing to provide munitions for these systems.

Additionally, the US recently pledged another USD 150 million in weapons, including air defence interceptors, artillery, and anti-tank weapons, sourced directly from its stocks. It also committed USD 2.2 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds to procure more long-term weapons systems, such as Patriot missiles and NASAM air defence systems.

(With inputs from agencies.)