US Deciding Whether To Send Patriot Missile System To Ukraine

Russia said in September that If Washington decides to supply longer-range missiles to Kyiv, it will be crossing a red line and will become a direct party to the conflict. Photo | Military, enhanced by Donald Standeford.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
December 14, 2022 04:00 am UTC
Modified: 2022-12-14 04:00 am

WASHINGTON - The United States is currently deciding on whether to send a Patriot long-range missile system to Ukraine, after receiving a request from Ukraine for more powerful and longer-range missile systems to shoot down Russian missiles targeting the country.

Russia has said that if the United States sends long-range missile systems to Ukraine, it would be crossing a red line and that it would result in the United States becoming a direct party to the conflict.

Currently, the United States is finalizing the plan to send the Patriot missile system to Ukraine. It needs to be approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, after which it will be sent to U.S. President Joe Biden for his final signature.

It is not yet known how many of the missile systems will be sent to Ukraine.

The Patriot missile system also called the "Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) comes with three different capabilities: PAC-1, PAC-2, and PAC-3 types.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the PAC-3 missiles claims that the PAC-3 version is the "World's most advanced air defense missile".

The Three Types Of Patriot Missile Systems And Their Ranges

The PAC-1 missiles have an operational range of around 56 miles, while the PAC-2 has a range of about 99 miles and the PAC-3 have an operational range of around 19 miles. The PAC-3 MSE missile versions have a range of 37 miles.

The PAC-3 version of the Patriot missile system is designed to intercept "tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft," according to Military.com.

The United States has been hesitant about sending long-range missile systems to Ukraine, as Russia had threatened that long-range missile systems that could hit targets within Russian territory would be crossing a line.

Russia's Threats To The West About Supplying Ukraine With Long-Range Missiles

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated in September of this year that "If Washington decides to supply longer-range missiles to Kyiv, then it will be crossing a red line and will become a direct party to the conflict".

She added at the time that it "reserves the right to defend its territory".

The Patriot missile system, which is considered a defensive weapon system would be seen as less of a threat by Russia than an offensive weapon such as the Army Tactical Missile System would be seen as.

Once the decision is finalized, if approved the missiles will be sent to Ukraine "in the coming days," and Ukrainian forces will be undergoing training to use the missile systems at the U.S. Army base in Germany, according to a report by Ukrainian news agency Kyiv Independent.