Ukraine Wants the Patriot Missile Defense System?
The MIM-104 Patriot is an all-weather, long-range air defense system designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft.
According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, the Patriot systems would necessitate the presence of American soldiers on the ground, and training Ukrainian personnel on the advanced-capability interceptors was not an option. The United States is willing and able to sell PAC-3s to South Korea, but Ukraine is a different story.
With more Russian missile attacks on the horizon, Kiev has set its sights on the Patriot system. The US has sent long-range artillery, such as the M777 towed howitzer, as well as counter-battery radar (10 AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Weapon-Locating Radar systems) capable of targeting a Russian land-based ballistic or cruise missile launcher. But there were no Patriot defenders.
