Ukrainians to start training on Patriot missile systems in US next week

Ukrainian troops will begin training on the Patriot air defense system in the United States next week, the Pentagon has announced.

A Patriot air defence system.

Photo: Polish Ministry of Defence/MON/Twitter/Mariusz Błaszczak

The training program will take place at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, where the United States conducts its own training on operating and maintaining the advanced missile system, broadcaster CNN reported.

Ukrainians will start US-based training on Patriot advanced air defense missile systems as soon as next week, officials say https://t.co/ojBsDgUsdu

— CNN (@CNN) January 10, 2023

Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday that 90 to 100 Ukrainian soldiers would arrive in Oklahoma for the Patriot training next week.

He said the training would last several months, according to CNN.

“Once fielded, the Patriot … will contribute to Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, and provide another capability to the Ukrainian people to defend themselves against Russia’s ongoing aerial assaults,” Ryder said at Tuesday’s press briefing, as quoted by CNN.

Ukrainian anti-aircraft forces will start learning how to use the Patriot missile defense system next week in the United States. The training will occur at Fort Sil in Oklahoma. This was reported by the Washington Post, citing their sources.https://t.co/LAc8a3OASB

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 10, 2023

In late December, the United States said it would send a Patriot air defense missile battery to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russia's invasion.

Washington last week announced a new weapons package for Kyiv, worth more than USD 3 billion and including Bradley fighting vehicles and new air defence missiles.

The White House said last Thursday that Germany would "join the United States in supplying an additional Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine."

Wednesday is day 322 of Russia's war in Ukraine.

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Source: IAR, PAP, CNN