In a significant development, Spain has declared an intent to provide Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as confirmed by Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles on April 26. The announcement occurred during the Ramstein-format summit.
Prior reports had indicated that Spain was considering dispatching “a limited quantity” of Patriot missiles from its reserves that total about 50. The exact number Spain will supply has not been disclosed by Robles.
The dispatch represents a piece of the broader support structure from Western countries heeding the appeal from Kyiv for more robust air defense capabilities as Ukraine faces increased aerial bombardments from Russian missiles and drones.
A “set” of Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles is due for arrival at the logistics base within four days, said the minister.
Furthermore, Spain has committed to sending Ukraine a variety of additional support equipment in the forthcoming months, including machine guns, vehicles, field artillery howitzers, 155 mm and 120 mm shells, anti-drone paraphernalia, and Leopard tanks, as per the defense ministry.
The U.S.-manufactured Patriots are adept at countering Russian ballistic and cruise missile attacks. While Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky suggests that 25 Patriot units are needed to adequately shield the nation, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is zeroing in on attaining seven units to safeguard the foremost Ukrainian cities.
Meanwhile, Germany has pledged, as of April 13, to contribute an additional Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, thus raising their total commitment to three units from the country.
Previous hopes for Greece to contribute Patriot systems were quelled when Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on April 25 that his country will not be sending Ukraine Patriots or S-300 missiles.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, has mentioned in an interview with European Pravda on April 23 that Ukraine is urging the U.S. for a collaborative effort in producing Patriot air defense systems.
FAQ about Spain’s Assistance to Ukraine
- What has Spain pledged to provide to Ukraine?
- How many Patriot missiles does Ukraine need according to President Zelensky?
- Has Greece agreed to provide Ukraine with air defense systems?
- Is Ukraine seeking to co-produce Patriot systems with the U.S.?
Spain has pledged to send Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, machine guns, vehicles, field artillery howitzers, 155 mm and 120 mm munition, anti-drone equipment, and Leopard tanks.
President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot systems to protect the country from Russian attacks.
No, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Greece would not be supplying Ukraine with Patriots or S-300 missiles.
Yes, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, has expressed that Ukraine is pushing for a joint production agreement with the U.S. for Patriot air defense systems.
Conclusion
The commitment by Spain to send military aid, including sophisticated Patriot missiles, is an affirmation of the unwavering support that Ukraine continues to garner from Western allies in its defense against Russian aggression. Although Kyiv’s quest for a comprehensive air defense shield is yet unmet, the pledges from countries like Spain and Germany mark critical steps towards fortifying Ukraine’s aerial defense capabilities. The ongoing international dialogue and advocacy by Ukrainian officials emphasize the strategic importance of this support in Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Note: The information in this article is revisioned content based on sources accessible through internet news feeds, and TheUBJ is not claiming ownership of the original content. The original link at https://kyivindependent.com/spain-confirms-ukraine-to-receive-patriot/ is provided for reference.