Senior US defense official: The Patriot system is neither a panacea nor a comprehensive solution to Ukraine’s air defense
A senior US defense official said on Wednesday that the Patriot missile system that the United States will deliver to Ukraine is not a comprehensive solution to its air defense needs.
“With regard to air defense, there is no magic bullet, the official, who preferred not to be named”, told reporters.
“Our goal is to help Ukraine promote a layered and integrated approach to air defense”.
“This isn’t a comprehensive air defense solution for Ukraine… This is another of the many steps we have taken to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capability”.
The US official said the Patriot system would complement the range of medium and short-range air defense capabilities already available to Ukraine.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden confirmed, during his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky, at the White House, that Washington will continue to enhance Kiev’s military capabilities.
Biden said: “We will continue to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities in order to defend itself, especially in the field of air defense… Therefore, we will provide Ukraine with the Patriot system and train Ukrainian forces to use it”.
