Will the powerful Patriot defense system really make Ukraine win the war?

Since the war broke out, ten months ago, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has not stopped repeating incessantly to its allies in the West that the only way to expel the Russians from their territory was to receive economic and military aid. After the gradual shipment of defense systems, missiles, ammunition and tanks, which have greatly helped repel the rival troops, the Ukrainians can feel somewhat more relieved: the expected arrival of the sophisticated US defense system patriotone of the most advanced (and expensive) in the world.

Although it is, for now, the delivery of a battery, Its cost amounts to approximately 1,000 million dollarswhich is included in the latest help package that USA has given to Ukraine for $1.85 billion.

READ ALSO: Putin on Patriot missiles delivered to Ukraine: “We will crunch them like nuts”

“We would like more Patriots. We are in war”Zelensky himself said after meeting with Joe Biden on Wednesday in Washington DC. “But we are very grateful to the Americans”he added.

“The delivery of the system is a very important step, although it is not enough”comments to this newspaper the international analyst Roberto Heimovits. “Although it is a single battery, these contain up to 20 missiles and have a range of 160 kilometers. For ‘The Economist’ it is key in the military strategy because it will greatly increase Ukraine’s ability to shoot down cruise missiles, which are what Russia is using to attack Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure. It is one of the most sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons that exists”add.

A Patriot missile launcher assigned to the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment stationed in Alaska. REUTERS (US AIR FORCE /)

As far as the conflict goes, the Biden administration has provided some $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, ammunition for NASAMS air defense systems and for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

“But perhaps the most important is political because with the decision to give the Patriots, Washington is sending a message to Russia that they will continue to support Ukraine, and that they are willing to give them more sophisticated weapons”explains the expert.

Ukraine has also requested a tactical missile system, the MGM-140 ATACMSwhich have a range of more than 300 kilometers. “If the US gives it to them it could be devastating for the Russians”says Heimovits.

An ultra-sophisticated system

As Deutsche Welle recalls, the system patriot it was developed in the early 1960s but received its current name and design a decade later. The US military began using the system, which consists of various radars, command and control units, and various missile interceptors, in the 1980s.

However, it was first used in 1991 during Operation “Desert Storm” to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Then the US used it during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

READ ALSO: How are the Patriot systems, the long-awaited anti-missile with which Ukraine could change the course of the war with Russia

The company Raytheon Technologies has manufactured more than 240 Patriot systems that are currently used by 18 countries in the world, especially in the Middle East.

Its radar can detect up to 50 targets – ranging from tactical missiles, cruise missiles, drones or aircraft – and attack five of them simultaneously. Interceptor missiles can reach a height of more than two kilometers and hit targets up to 160 kilometers away.

According to the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, about 90 soldiers are needed to operate each unit.

Patriot – this is how this powerful American air defense system works. INFOGRAPHIC: TOÑO TARAZONA.

change of course

But will the long-awaited Patriots be able to turn the tide of the war?

“I don’t know if this is a turning point, but the main thing is the message that the US is giving in its support for Ukraine with weapons against which Russia has no response”says Heimovits.

However, the Kremlin has said that this defense system would be a legitimate target for Russian attacks.

READ ALSO: Russia pronounces itself on the Patriot missiles delivered by the US to Ukraine: “It only aggravates the war”

“Russia is a great power, but it has shown that its army is in a worse situation than one would have imagined, and it is in a rare situation where they now have to depend on a country like Iran for their weapons supplies.”Add.

It is not yet known when the system could become operational on the battlefield. As US officials have reported to Reuters, the Patriots will first arrive in Germany, where Ukrainian troops will learn how to use them and the training may take a few months. It is probable, however, that the training already began several weeks ago.

Source: Elcomercio