Undisclosed sources told The New York Times that Ukraine may soon receive two additional Patriot air defense system fire units, potentially bringing the total to ten. One of the systems may come from Israel, while the other could be provided by Germany or even Greece, a surprising development considering both countries' previous reluctance.
According to NYT, as of early May 2025, Ukraine reportedly operates eight Patriot batteries: six are fully functional, and two are currently undergoing maintenance. The assessment appears to include all existing contributions, possibly counting a partial Dutch battery (three launchers and a radar) as a full system, although it had not previously been recognized as such. The fire unit was delivered incomplete as the Netherlands failed to secure other components from a partner nation.
Read more: U.S. to Sell Patriot Fire Unit to Romania for $262 Million with Only Two Launchers Included
Earlier reports suggest that Ukraine’s current Patriot inventory includes three batteries from the United States, two from Germany, one jointly from Germany and the Netherlands, one from Romania, and the partial Dutch system. This likely explains how NYT arrived at the total of eight batteries.
The most notable development is the potential transfer of a Patriot battery formerly operated by the Israeli military. In April 2023, Israel announced plans to decommission its Patriot systems. NYT reports that the decision to supply the Israeli system was made in response to intensified russian missile and drone attacks, including the major strike on April 24 targeting Kyiv.
During that attack, russia launched 70 missiles of various types, including North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, and 145 long-range drones. Kyiv was the main target.
The Israeli-origin Patriot battery is expected to arrive in Ukraine this summer. The tenth battery may come from Germany or Greece. Either option would represent a notable shift. Germany has already delivered two and a half batteries, while Greece has previously declined to transfer its S-300 systems, let alone Patriots, which are vital to its own air defense.
These additional systems would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to counter large-scale attacks and advanced aerial threats, a need that grows more urgent with each wave of russian attacks.
Read more: U.S. is Blocking Australian Tanks For Ukraine But Also Pressures Greece to Hand Over Its Patriot — What's the Logic?
