Ukraine war latest: Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles; ‘major’ US statement on Russia expected | World News

Alongside today’s reported announcement of a weapons deal with Ukraine, the US has already agreed to send Patriot missile defence systems.

Donald Trump said yesterday that an undisclosed number would be sent, and that the European Union would pay for them.

Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius is meeting with US defence secretary Pete Hegseth today to discuss Germany paying for Patriot systems.

The delivery of Patriot systems, and the possible incoming deal, mark a notable change for Trump on Ukraine.

What is a Patriot system?

The Patriot is short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target.

It is a surface-to-air missile defence system developed by Raytheon Technologies.

It is thought to be one of the most advanced air defence systems in the US arsenal and has been in service since the 1980s.

A usual battery includes radar and control systems, a power unit, launchers and support vehicles. 

The system can intercept aircraft and even tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used.

How does it work?

The system has different capabilities depending on the type of interceptor used.

The earlier PAC-2 interceptor uses a blast-fragmentation warhead.

This explodes when close to its target, taking it down that way.

Whereas the PAC-3 family use more accurate technology to strike targets directly.

It isn’t known which kind of Patriot systems will be sent to Ukraine, but it is likely that Kyiv has at least some of the newer PAC-3s.

The systems have a range of over 93 miles (150km), according to NATO.

The systems were not originally designed to intercept hypersonic missiles.

But in May 2023, the US confirmed Ukraine had used one to shoot down the Russian Kinzhal missile – which Moscow claims is hypersonic.

Where is it used?

According to Raytheon’s website, more than 240 Patriot units have been built and delivered.

These have been sent to 19 countries, the company says, including the US, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

In January, Axios reported that the US had transferred about 90 Patriot interceptors from Israel to Ukraine.

How much does it cost?

A newly produced single Patriot battery costs more than $1bn (£0.74bn) , according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

This is broken down into the $400m (£296m) system and the $690m (£511m) missiles.

Why does Ukraine want more?

Kyiv has consistently asked its Western allies for more air defences.

While effective at knocking down drones, which Russia uses for many of its attacks, it’s an expensive way to do so.

Russia, meanwhile, sees the Patriots as a direct escalation.