Germany to deploy Patriot air defense systems in Poland to protect Ukraine aid center

Germany will deploy two Patriot air defense complexes in Poland to protect the logistics center of international military aid to Ukraine.

This is reported by the German Aid to Ukraine monitoring project.

The relevant statement was made by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on the sidelines of the 25th meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine in the «Ramstein» format. in Germany.

The Ministry of Defense of Germany proposed  the North Atlantic Alliance to deploy the German Patriot air defense system in Poland at the end of November 2024. And during the meeting of the Contact Group of the session, Boris Pistorius confirmed that this proposal will be implemented into reality.

Two MIM-104 Patriot systems and 200 Bundeswehr soldiers will be deployed in Poland for approximately six months, starting at the end of January 2025.

As the German Aid to Ukraine project notes, this means that German troops are returning to Poland after a break of more than a year.

In addition to Germany, Norway also sent its anti-aircraft systems to protect the logistics center. Which in December 2024 at the airport «Rzeszów-Jasenko» deployed anti-aircraft missile complex NASAMS.

In addition to air defense systems, Norway has also deployed its F-35 fighters in Poland, a total of 100 Norwegian servicemen will be on duty. This mission is expected to last until Easter.

In addition to protecting supplies of military equipment to Ukraine from the Polish side, the German Air Force will also perform a new logistical task. According to Pistorius, Germany will provide an Airbus A330 aircraft for the entire year to perform air refueling tasks.

These operations to strengthen air defense were adopted within the framework of cooperation of the North Atlantic Alliance and function under the auspices of NATO's integrated air and missile defense.

As you know, it is at the airport «Rzeszów-Jasenko» Poland is home to a key transit hub for foreign military support to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. 90% of Western aid to Ukraine passes through this hub.

It is located less than 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. After Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, this air base also became the main stopping point for foreign officials visiting Ukraine.