NATO countries to provide Ukraine with additional Patriots, dozens of other air defense systems
They said this in a joint statement published on the White House website, Ukrinform reports.
"Today, we are announcing that, collectively, we are providing Ukraine with additional strategic air defense systems, including additional Patriot batteries donated by the United States, Germany, and Romania; Patriot components donated by the Netherlands and other partners to enable the operation of an additional Patriot battery; and an additional SAMP-T system donated by Italy," the document reads.
It added that these five strategic air defense systems would help to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians, and soldiers.
"We are coordinating closely with the Ukrainian government so that these systems can be utilized rapidly," the statement said.
In addition, the leaders of the five countries announced that in the coming months, they intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of tactical air defense systems, including NASAMS, HAWKs, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS, and Gepard systems.
Several Allies – including Canada, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom – will continue to play an integral role in the provision of these systems, and many other supporters of Ukraine will assist in the provision of interceptors.
For its part, the United States will re-sequence planned deliveries of Foreign Military Sales of critical air defense interceptors in coordination with partners so they are delivered to Ukraine, providing Ukraine with hundreds of additional air defense interceptors over the next year.
"We are committed to providing Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities as it defends itself against Russia’s continued aggression, including Russia’s deliberate attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian and critical infrastructure," the authors of the statement said.
The anniversary NATO summit at the level of heads of state is taking place in Washington. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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