Latest news with #MIM-104Patriot
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Can Trump's Patriot Missiles Help Ukraine Turn the Tide Against Russia?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States will send additional Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine, part of a European Union–funded deal intended to bolster Kyiv's defenses against intensifying Russian missile and drone attacks and coming as President Donald Trump is voicing increased frustrations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Sunday, Trump confirmed that Patriots "which they desperately need" would be sent, paid for "100 percent" by European allies. Trump, returning to Washington from New Jersey, added pointedly: "He [Putin] talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. I don't like it." Trump is expected to announce further measures on Russia in meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and lawmakers this week. Germany has already agreed to finance at least two Patriot batteries, and Norway reportedly joined in funding additional units. Ukraine currently operates a small number of Patriots donated during the Biden administration but has pleaded for more to defend critical infrastructure and population centers. This photograph taken during sunset on March 6, 2025 shows Patriot air defence systems installed at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, a logistics hub for US and European military aid to Ukraine, in Jasionka, south-eastern Poland. This photograph taken during sunset on March 6, 2025 shows Patriot air defence systems installed at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, a logistics hub for US and European military aid to Ukraine, in Jasionka, south-eastern Poland. Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images What is the Patriot system? Developed by Raytheon Technologies, the MIM-104 Patriot—short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target—is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and tactical ballistic missiles. A valuable defensive weapon, a typical Patriot battery consists of radar and control units, power supply, launchers and support vehicles. The system has evolved since its debut in the 1980s. Early PAC-2 missiles used blast-fragmentation warheads, while newer PAC-3 missiles employ a hit-to-kill mechanism for greater accuracy. Depending on the configuration, the Patriot can engage targets up to 100 miles away at altitudes exceeding 14 miles. Those capabilities don't come cheap. Each battery costs about $1.1 billion, with individual interceptors running $4 million apiece, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). 'Not a game changer by itself' Mark F. Cancian, a senior adviser at CSIS, told Newsweek the major effect of the U.S.-EU deal is intended to be more political than tactical — pressuring Moscow to enter ceasefire negotiations, which Trump emphasized during his press conference. "The amounts are significant — Trump talked about 'billions of dollars' — but it will take months for the packages to be put together," Cancian said. "I expect announcements of equipment packages of several hundred million dollars every few weeks." He cautioned that the focus on the Patriot system is disproportionate to its battlefield impact. "There is too much focus on Patriot. It's an important capability but designed to defend against ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. About 10 percent of Russia's attacking missiles are in those categories," Cancian said. "Most of the attacks come from the low-technology suicide drones. For these, Ukraine needs a wide variety of air defense systems, which will likely be in the packages." In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following Russia's drones attack in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following Russia's drones attack in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. AP Cancian stressed that Ukraine's needs extend far beyond air defenses. "It also needs weapons, munitions, and supplies across the board since its armies in combat go through these at a high rate," he said. The EU deal is meant to show the West's united front against Russian aggression, to force Moscow to "participate in ceasefire negotiations," he said. "But the real battlefield need is broader — Ukraine needs a wide range of air defenses for the drones and low-cost attacks they face daily, and they need weapons, munitions, and supplies of all kinds. Patriot is important, but it is not a game changer by itself." Why is the U.S. sending more aid now? Trump's decision to broker the EU deal reflects both a response to Ukraine's urgent pleas and his own frustrations with Putin's continued escalation in spite of White House efforts to bring him to the negotiating table. As Trump himself said: "We're not paying anything for them... but we will get them Patriots." The announcement also reverses a months-long freeze on U.S. weapons shipments to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently told reporters after meetings with European leaders that he had received "all necessary political signals" for aid to resume and described his dialogue with Trump as "constructive and very positive." The German government confirmed that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will meet U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week to finalize details of the Patriot transfers, amid Berlin's continued refusal to send its long-range Taurus missiles over fears of escalation on European soil.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Trump shipping long-range missiles to Ukraine will change face of war' after ‘p****d' Don's patience with Putin runs out
TRUMP sending long-range weapons to Ukraine could be a game-changer for the war by helping halt Putin's nightly blitzes, experts said. Trump, who appears to be with tyrant Vladimir Putin, is set to announce an Advertisement 10 Dozens were injured in Kyiv following a massive ballistic missile and drone attack launched by Russia last week Credit: East2West 10 Fires broke out in at least 13 locations across five districts in Kyiv after the attack Credit: Reuters 10 Soldiers of Ukraine's 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade fire a Grad multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region Credit: AP 10 Donald Trump speaks with the media at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland Credit: Reuters He has promised to send MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems - which are used to stop incoming missiles - to Ukraine. But he has also suggested that the US would supply Ukraine . Patriot rockets - which act as America's primary air defence system - were successfully used in the Middle East to shoot down missiles that Iran fired at a US airbase in Qatar. But the military package for Ukraine will also likely include long-range missiles that could reach targets deep inside Russian territory, two sources told Advertisement Russia-Ukraine war Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a decorated commander, said the shipment of these long-range missiles would have profound "psychological and physical effects" on Ukraine . Mr de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun: "These weapons can strike Moscow - over 400 miles from the border. That allows the Ukrainians to strike drone factory production and ammunition sites, and others. "So this will have both psychological as well as physical effects. "People in Moscow will realise that they potentially could be targeted. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Trump slams Putin's 'bulls***' and trashes the tyrant's 'meaningless' promises to end Ukraine war in savage attack "And when you also add to it the American bombings on Iranian sites that were supposed to be impregnable, it shows that American missile and drone technology rather superior to the Russian air defence system." The former army chief said these weapons will put real pressure on Russia, adding: "The metric has now changed and Trump's decision could make a huge difference." Ex-military intelligence officer Colonel Philip Ingram told The Sun how these long-range weapons could help strike Russian missile and drone launchpads - the ones that are used to launch nightly attacks on Ukraine . He said: "The Ukrainians are already attacking to hit Russian military logistics, defence industry bases. Advertisement "And with these sophisticated weapons, they will have increased capability of doing so. "It will impact the ability of the Russians to prosecute these increasingly large drone and rocket attacks on a nightly basis. "And then that's the best way for the Ukrainians to stop it." Trump is now set to make a "major statement" on Russia - and is expected to reveal more details about the military package. Advertisement More weapons that Kyiv could receive in the coming days include precision-guided GMLRS missiles and thousands of high-explosive Howitzer rounds. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that he is "really p****d at Putin", and that the announcement is going to be really "very aggressive". 10 10 Trump said he was 'very disappointed' with Vladimir Putin Credit: AFP Advertisement 10 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes the American aid package Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Trump reiterated that he was "very unhappy" with Putin since their phone call two weeks ago made no progress on the Ukraine peace deal - something the US president has pushed for since returning to power. Instead, and is instead steadily increasing his overnight bombing raids - which could . Last week, Trump accused Putin of throwing "bullshit" at Washington on Ukraine and making "meaningless" promises. Advertisement "We get a lot of bull**** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump told reporters during a televised cabinet meeting at the White House . "He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless." "We're going to send some more weapons [to Ukraine]. "We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They're hit very hard now." Advertisement Moscow had no immediate reaction to Trump's strongly worded comments about Putin, but the Kremlin said that sending arms to Ukraine only serves to prolong the conflict. 10 Russia is launching the drones in a deadly new development in the war Credit: Alamy 10 Some of the devastation caused by the new wave of Russian attacks on Kyiv Credit: Alamy "It is obvious of course that these actions probably do not align with attempts to promote a peaceful resolution," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying in a briefing. Advertisement Putin, who himself proposed direct talks with Kyiv to end the war a few weeks ago, has now suggested that diplomacy will not help Moscow achieve its war goals. He has instead increased the intensity of his attacks - hammering Ukraine with almost daily drones and ballistic missile blitzes. Last week, the Russians launched 741 drones and missiles at Ukraine - the biggest single attack of the 40-month war. Some 400 were fired the next day. Advertisement Over the weekend, 600 drones and 26 missiles including Kh-101 cruise missiles were launched in one of the most intense bombing raids since the inception of the war. Trump also urged Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth to push defence contractors to increase production of armaments. "We have to step them up, Pete, and let them make it at a much higher rate," he said. "Putin is not treating human beings right. He's killing too many people. So we're sending some defensive weapons and I've approved that," Trump added. Advertisement Experts hope the shipment of these new weapons - and fresh sanctions - could put the Russians back at the negotiating table. 10 An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over the city during a Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv on Thursday Credit: Reuters
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Trump shipping long-range missiles to Ukraine will change face of war' after ‘p****d' Don's patience with Putin runs out
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE long-range weapons Donald Trump is reportedly planning to send to Ukraine could deal a major blow to Russia, military experts told The Sun. Trump, who appears to be growing increasingly frustrated with tyrant Vladimir Putin, is set to announce an "aggressive' new weapons plan to support Ukraine. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Dozens were injured in Kyiv following a massive ballistic missile and drone attack launched by Russia last week Credit: East2West 10 Fires broke out in at least 13 locations across five districts in Kyiv after the attack Credit: Reuters 10 Soldiers of Ukraine's 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade fire a Grad multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region Credit: AP 10 Donald Trump speaks with the media at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland Credit: Reuters He has promised to send MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems - which are used to stop incoming missiles - to Ukraine. But he has also suggested that the US would supply "very sophisticated" military hardware to Ukraine. Patriot rockets - which act as America's primary air defence system - were successfully used in the Middle East to shoot down missiles that Iran fired at a US airbase in Qatar. But the military package for Ukraine will also likely include long-range missiles that could reach targets deep inside Russian territory, two sources told Axios. Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a decorated British Army commander, said the shipment of these long-range missiles would have profound "psychological and physical effects" on Ukraine. Mr de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun: "These weapons can strike Moscow - over 400 miles from the border. That allows the Ukrainians to strike drone factory production and ammunition sites, and others. "So this will have both psychological as well as physical effects. "People in Moscow will realise that they potentially could be targeted. Trump slams Putin's 'bulls***' and trashes the tyrant's 'meaningless' promises to end Ukraine war in savage attack "And when you also add to it the American bombings on Iranian sites that were supposed to be impregnable, it shows that American missile and drone technology rather superior to the Russian air defence system." The former army chief said these weapons will put real pressure on Russia, adding: "The metric has now changed and Trump's decision could make a huge difference." Ex-military intelligence officer Colonel Philip Ingram told The Sun how these long-range weapons could help strike Russian missile and drone launchpads - the ones that are used to launch nightly attacks on Ukraine. He said: "The Ukrainians are already attacking to hit Russian military logistics, defence industry bases. "And with these sophisticated weapons, they will have increased capability of doing so. "It will impact the ability of the Russians to prosecute these increasingly large drone and rocket attacks on a nightly basis. "And then that's the best way for the Ukrainians to stop it." Trump is now set to make a "major statement" on Russia - and is expected to reveal more details about the military package. More weapons that Kyiv could receive in the coming days include precision-guided GMLRS missiles and thousands of high-explosive Howitzer rounds. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that he is "really p****d at Putin", and that the announcement is going to be really "very aggressive". 10 10 Trump said he was 'very disappointed' with Vladimir Putin Credit: AFP 10 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes the American aid package Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Trump reiterated that he was "very unhappy" with Putin since their phone call two weeks ago made no progress on the Ukraine peace deal - something the US president has pushed for since returning to power. Instead, Putin has snubbed peace and is instead steadily increasing his overnight bombing raids - which could soon hit 1,000 a day. Last week, Trump accused Putin of throwing "bullshit" at Washington on Ukraine and making "meaningless" promises. "We get a lot of bull**** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump told reporters during a televised cabinet meeting at the White House. "He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless." "We're going to send some more weapons [to Ukraine]. "We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They're hit very hard now." Moscow had no immediate reaction to Trump's strongly worded comments about Putin, but the Kremlin said that sending arms to Ukraine only serves to prolong the conflict. 10 Russia is launching the drones in a deadly new development in the war Credit: Alamy 10 Some of the devastation caused by the new wave of Russian attacks on Kyiv Credit: Alamy "It is obvious of course that these actions probably do not align with attempts to promote a peaceful resolution," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying in a briefing. Putin, who himself proposed direct talks with Kyiv to end the war a few weeks ago, has now suggested that diplomacy will not help Moscow achieve its war goals. He has instead increased the intensity of his attacks - hammering Ukraine with almost daily drones and ballistic missile blitzes. Last week, the Russians launched 741 drones and missiles at Ukraine - the biggest single attack of the 40-month war. Some 400 were fired the next day. Over the weekend, 600 drones and 26 missiles including Kh-101 cruise missiles were launched in one of the most intense bombing raids since the inception of the war. Trump also urged Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth to push defence contractors to increase production of armaments. "We have to step them up, Pete, and let them make it at a much higher rate," he said. "Putin is not treating human beings right. He's killing too many people. So we're sending some defensive weapons and I've approved that," Trump added. Experts hope the shipment of these new weapons - and fresh sanctions - could put the Russians back at the negotiating table. 10 An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over the city during a Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv on Thursday Credit: Reuters
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump says he wants to send Patriot batteries to Ukraine. One country might be down to pay for them.
Trump says he now wants to send Patriot batteries to Ukraine, but with Europe paying for them. Germany is a likely candidate among NATO allies willing to sponsor the vital air defenses. On Sunday, its defense minister said it wanted to discuss buying two systems for Ukraine. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he plans to send Patriot batteries to Ukraine, though this time with Europe paying for the air defenses. "We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment," he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. "They are going to pay us 100% for that, and that's the way we want it." Trump did not say on Sunday how many Patriot batteries he planned to send to Ukraine. But one NATO ally is likely already willing to foot the bill. For the past few weeks, German leaders were reported to be scouting ways to procure more air defenses for Ukraine, which has been pounded relentlessly by growing waves of Russian drones and missile strikes. Bloomberg reported, citing an unnamed government source, that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Trump about the matter as early as July 4. In the days since, Merz has publicly confirmed such discussions. "We are ready to acquire additional Patriot systems from the United States and make them available to Ukraine," he said Thursday at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. More recently, Germany's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, told The Financial Times that he would discuss with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the possibility of Berlin buying two Patriot systems for Kyiv. "We only have six left in Germany," Pistorius told the outlet in an interview published on Sunday. "That's really too few, especially considering the NATO capability goals we have to meet. We definitely can't give any more." Germany is believed to have 12 Patriot systems, three of which it has given to Ukraine. It's stationed at least two more in Poland. The MIM-104 Patriot system, in service since the 1980s, is considered one of the world's most advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems. Analysts think Ukraine likely has six to eight batteries — far less than what it needs to shield its cities from Russia's nighttime strikes. Meanwhile, the US has procured over 1,100 Patriot launchers so far. Eight of these launchers can be deployed at a time on a single battery. Roughly 200 such launchers have been exported to other countries, while the US military actively runs 16 battalions of four batteries each. That could mean the Pentagon has about 400 launchers, or about 50 batteries, left in its stockpile or in maintenance. "The Americans need some of them themselves, but they also have a lot of them," Merz said on Thursday of the Patriot systems. Last year, his nation became the largest military spender in Western Europe for the first time since the Cold War, ramping up its defense budget by nearly 30% to $88.5 billion, per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The German Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider. Trump's latest comments about the Patriot batteries come after he had paused American weapons and ammo aid to Ukraine at the start of the month, sparking concerns about the latter's ability to defend itself with air interceptors. But the president appeared to change his mind a week later, saying at a White House dinner event that he wanted to send more weapons to Kyiv. "They have to be able to defend themselves," Trump told reporters at the dinner. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Trump says he wants to send Patriot batteries to Ukraine. One country might be down to pay for them.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he plans to send Patriot batteries to Ukraine, though this time with Europe paying for the air defenses. "We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment," he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. "They are going to pay us 100% for that, and that's the way we want it." Trump did not say on Sunday how many Patriot batteries he planned to send to Ukraine. But one NATO ally is likely already willing to foot the bill. For the past few weeks, German leaders were reported to be scouting ways to procure more air defenses for Ukraine, which has been pounded relentlessly by growing waves of Russian drones and missile strikes. Bloomberg reported, citing an unnamed government source, that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Trump about the matter as early as July 4. In the days since, Merz has publicly confirmed such discussions. "We are ready to acquire additional Patriot systems from the United States and make them available to Ukraine," he said Thursday at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. More recently, Germany's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, told The Financial Times that he would discuss with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the possibility of Berlin buying two Patriot systems for Kyiv. "We only have six left in Germany," Pistorius told the outlet in an interview published on Sunday. "That's really too few, especially considering the NATO capability goals we have to meet. We definitely can't give any more." Germany is believed to have 12 Patriot systems, three of which it has given to Ukraine. It's stationed at least two more in Poland. The MIM-104 Patriot system, in service since the 1980s, is considered one of the world's most advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems. Analysts think Ukraine likely has six to eight batteries — far less than what it needs to shield its cities from Russia's nighttime strikes. Meanwhile, the US has procured over 1,100 Patriot launchers so far. Eight of these launchers can be deployed at a time on a single battery. Roughly 200 such launchers have been exported to other countries, while the US military actively runs 16 battalions of four batteries each. That could mean the Pentagon has about 400 launchers, or about 50 batteries, left in its stockpile or in maintenance. "The Americans need some of them themselves, but they also have a lot of them," Merz said on Thursday of the Patriot systems. Last year, his nation became the largest military spender in Western Europe for the first time since the Cold War, ramping up its defense budget by nearly 30% to $88.5 billion, per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The German Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider. Trump's latest comments about the Patriot batteries come after he had paused American weapons and ammo aid to Ukraine at the start of the month, sparking concerns about the latter's ability to defend itself with air interceptors. But the president appeared to change his mind a week later, saying at a White House dinner event that he wanted to send more weapons to Kyiv. "They have to be able to defend themselves," Trump told reporters at the dinner.
