The USA has delivered its third Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, as evidenced by the military aid brief published by the U.S. Ministry of Defense. In the document dated September 26, we can find only two Patriot systems listed as delivered, compared to the new update released October 15: it says three batteries already.
This commitment has effectively placed the United States on par with Germany in terms of Patriot anti-aircraft/missile defense systems handed to Ukraine. Both countries are the leaders of this effort, with three systems provided by each so far.
Read more: Officially: Ukraine Wil Get 49 M1 Abrams Tanks From Australia
Although worth noting, while for Germany the transfer of three Patriots meant the donation of 25% of its missile defense capability, for the USA it would be about 5%: as of summer 2023, the U.S. Armed Forces possessed 60 Patriot batteries (fire units) with plans to add 20 more in the future.
Besides the update on Patriots, the new list also indicates the transfer of an additional 1,000 MANPADS and Stinger missiles — 3,000 units overall up from 2,000 a few weeks ago. Although all numbers listed in the document are approximated, it still means Ukraine got hundreds of Stinger missiles to shoot down russian cruise missiles, aerial drones, or aircraft.
Apparently, it was this thousand of missiles meant during the announcement of the recent $425 million military aid package from Washington on October 16. This aid will be allocated under the Presidential Divestiture Program (PDA), meaning the weapons are drawn directly from the Pentagon's stockpiles and sent without delay. The full list of supplies in this package includes:
- missiles for NASAMS air defense system (AIM-120, AIM-9);
- RIM-7 missiles (used by the FrankenSAM Buk system);
- Stinger missiles;
- ammunition for HIMARS rocket artillery systems;
- 105mm and 155mm artillery shells;
- unspecified air-to-surface ammunition (possibly AGM-154 JSOW);
- TOW, Javelin, anti-tank guided missiles, AT-4 anti-armor grenade launchers;
- HMMWV vehicles;
- Small arms and ammunition, auxiliary equipment, spare parts, etc.
Read more: Ukrainian Special Forces Achieve Major Victory in Kharkiv Region, the Defense Intelligence Reveals Details (Video)
