Pentagon Preparing to Send Ukraine Patriot Missile Defense System

Pentagon is finalizing its plans to send a Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine to counter Russian aerial assaults, according to U.S. officials.

The approval for the plan could come as early as this week.

One of the officials noted that the United States is looking at at least one Patriot missile battery in Ukraine once the Pentagon or the White House has approved the plan.

To operate the system, Ukrainians are expected to need six to eight weeks of training in Europe.

A full 10 months is needed for the full operational capacity of the missile system.

The United has also committed National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems and missiles for older HAWK air defense systems.

Patriot Missile Defense System

Mark F. Cancian, a retired U.S. military officer at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the missile defense system is the "most challenging piece of equipment that Ukraine has received to date."

Cancian said that there would be no problem if Ukrainians had a year or two to learn how to operate the Patriot.

He guessed that the Pentagon "is very nervous about" the missile system and that the agency is taking "quite a risk" by deploying the Patriot missile defense system.

The United States reportedly has 15 Patriot battalions. According to Washington Post, many of those weapons are in Europe and the Middle East.

Other U.S. allies and partners also have their own U.S.-produced Patriot systems.

The missile system can fly as high as 79,000 feet with an operational range, which depends on the type of munition used.

It was unclear what type of munitions the Pentagon will also be supplying.

The Patriot missile defense system depends on the complex radar to detect incoming threats and fires long-range missiles to stop possible missile strikes.

Around 90 troops are assigned to a Patriot battery; it includes eight launchers that each hold between four and 16 ready-to-fire missiles.

The United States has earlier sent Patriot batteries to NATO allies such as Poland to improve their defenses while sending other weapon systems to Ukraine to assist against the Russian invasion.

Germany, Japan, and Israel have also procured the same missile defense system.

Ukraine Amid Russia's Invasion

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the United States for a Patriot air defense system amid Russia's missile strikes, which included energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has been requesting the system for months. However, the logical challenges delay the delivery, with its operation requiring comprehensive training.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month that the U.S. is "very focused" on sending air defense systems to Ukraine.

Blinken added that it is not just the United States, but also many other countries.

The Patriot would be the most effective long-range defensive weapons system sent to Ukraine.

Officials added that the Patriot missile defense system will help secure airspace for NATO nations in eastern Europe.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin still needs to approve the Pentagon's plan before it is sent to U.S. President Joe Biden for his signature.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: U.S. preparing to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine - from CBS Evening News