The Netherlands initiates the joint delivery of the Patriot system to Ukraine and calls on other European countries to join. This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands.
The Dutch government proposes to quickly assemble the Patriot air defence system in close cooperation with several partners and deliver it to Ukraine. The Netherlands will provide the main components and parts from its warehouse and invites European countries to add components from theirs.
The Netherlands has identified which countries can offer additional Patriot parts and ammunition. Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren is calling on them to contribute them from existing stocks, as the Netherlands has decided to do.
"We are in talks with our partners to create the Patriot system, including training for Ukrainian crews. With our proposal and consultations with partner countries that provide several key parts and ammunition, we can provide Ukraine with at least one fully operational system in a short period of time," said Ollongren.
The Dutch government acknowledges that Patriot systems are in short supply, but notes that Ukraine is also fighting for Europe, and that the country's military capabilities, energy production and vital infrastructure are under daily attack.
"The NATO Secretary General recently said that as NATO countries, we can temporarily fall below the alliance's target capabilities. So there is room for creativity. Industrial suppliers have promised to speed up the production and delivery of replacement systems. We are counting on that," Ollongren added.
The Netherlands is committed to delivering the Patriot system to Ukraine as soon as possible.