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The United States, Israel and Ukraine are discussing the possible delivery of up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv.
This was reported by the Financial Times.
“While not finalised, the arrangement would likely involve the highly prized Patriot systems being sent first from Israel to the US, before being delivered to Ukraine,” reads the article, backed by “five people briefed on the negotiations”.
In April, Israel indicated that it has 8 Patriot batteries that would be replaced with the newer equipment.
Such an agreement would vastly boost Ukraine’s air defense capabilities which now is believed to have 4 Patriot systems, having been provided by the US and Germany. It would also be a proper response to the Iran-Russia alliance. However, Israel might prioritize its own fight over Ukraine’s request.
“But the batteries, which have been used in Israel’s current war with Hamas, have not yet been discontinued due to concerns that tensions with the Iran-backed Hizbollah militant group could erupt into a full-blown war,” the FT claims.
Earlier, the US announced that it would prioritize Ukraine’s need for Patriot interceptor missiles and halt the other orders.
Read also: US to procure PAC-3 Patriot missiles, being supplied to Ukraine, worth $4,5 billion
