Latest news with #Wisla
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First Post
05-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
US sending Patriot air defence system based in Israel to Ukraine amid truce offer row with Russia
In the coming months, Ukraine is expected to get two more Patriot air defence systems at a time when Russia has stepped up aerial bombardment read more A general view of surface-to-air missile launchers of the Patriot (Wisla) system newly added into the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) at an army base in Sochaczew, Poland, December 18, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) As Russia has stepped up attacks, Ukraine is about to get two more Patriot air defence systems in the coming months. The United States is sending one Patriot air defence system currently deployed in Israel to Ukraine and Germany or Greece are arranging one system from amongst themselves, according to The New York Times. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking more air defence systems, particularly the US-made Patriots, for several months. US President Donald Trump had berated him last month for such requests, saying that he was 'always looking to purchase missiles'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraine currently has eight Patriot systems and six of them are currently operational, as per The Times. Patriot is a surface-to-air (SAM) missile system that is used for defence against aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. It comprises radar, guiding system, and missiles. The radar can detect incoming threats as far as 150 kilometres away and launch guided missiles accordingly to neutralise them. Patriot transfer approved by Biden: Report A former White House official told The Times that the transfer of Patriot system from Israel to Ukraine was approved by former President Joe Biden. The Patriot system is currently being refurbished in Israel and would be transferred to Ukraine by the end of the summer, according to the newspaper. Even as Trump has been dismissive of Ukrainian requirements, the Department of Defense told the newspaper that 'it continues to provide equipment to Ukraine from previously authorised' packages. Of the eight Patriot systems with Ukraine at the moment, only six are functional and two are in the process of being refurbished, as per the newspaper. The news of the transfer comes at a time when Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks as Trump has increasingly supported Russia. While Trump had always been critical of the support for Ukraine and friendly with Russia, he has aligned the United States completely with Russia in his second term. He has entered into negotiations with Russia for a reset in bilateral relationships and has floated peace plans that contain some of the biggest Russian demands. However, Russia has still rejected all three ceasefire proposals and one comprehensive plan floated by Trump. Yet it is Ukraine that Trump has bashed repeatedly instead of Russia or its leader. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poland to sign air defence deal with US worth almost $2 billion
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland and the United States will sign an agreement worth nearly $2 billion for the delivery of logistical support for the Patriot air defence system, Poland's defence minister said on Monday. Poland is ramping up its defence capabilities, positioning itself as a key player on NATO's eastern flank in the face of an assertive Russia and also of a U.S. administration under Donald Trump that has sharply criticised Europe over security matters. "The safety of Polish skies has no price," Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news briefing on Monday, adding that missile defence and cooperation with the United States are a priority. Kosiniak-Kamysz later confirmed to Reuters by text message that the value of the contract was almost $2 billion. The agreement with the U.S. concerns the delivery of logistical support for the Patriot system within the Armed Forces and includes technical support components as well as training. Poland's defence ministry said implementing the agreement would enable the operational readiness of Patriot launchers, which form the foundation of the Wisla programme. It aims to counter, among other things, short-range tactical ballistic missiles, including manoeuvring missiles. Poland acquired its first two Patriot system batteries from the United States in 2018 under the Wisla programme. Spurred by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has become NATO's top spender in terms of the proportion of its national wealth devoted to defence. Warsaw said it will spend 4.1% of gross domestic product on defence in 2024 with a pledge to increase this to 4.7% in 2025. Polish President Andrzej Duda has proposed enshrining defence spending of at least 4% of GDP in the constitution.
Reuters
31-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Poland to sign air defence deal with US worth almost $2 billion
WARSAW, March 31 (Reuters) - Poland and the United States will sign an agreement worth nearly $2 billion for the delivery of logistical support for the Patriot air defence system, Poland's defence minister said on Monday. Poland is ramping up its defence capabilities, positioning itself as a key player on NATO's eastern flank in the face of an assertive Russia and also of a U.S. administration under Donald Trump that has sharply criticised Europe over security matters. "The safety of Polish skies has no price," Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news briefing on Monday, adding that missile defence and cooperation with the United States are a priority. Kosiniak-Kamysz later confirmed to Reuters by text message that the value of the contract was almost $2 billion. The agreement with the U.S. concerns the delivery of logistical support for the Patriot system within the Armed Forces and includes technical support components as well as training. Poland's defence ministry said implementing the agreement would enable the operational readiness of Patriot launchers, which form the foundation of the Wisla programme. It aims to counter, among other things, short-range tactical ballistic missiles, including manoeuvring missiles. Poland acquired its first two Patriot system batteries from the United States in 2018 under the Wisla programme. Spurred by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has become NATO's top spender in terms of the proportion of its national wealth devoted to defence. Warsaw said it will spend 4.1% of gross domestic product on defence in 2024 with a pledge to increase this to 4.7% in 2025. Polish President Andrzej Duda has proposed enshrining defence spending of at least 4% of GDP in the constitution.
