US Patriot Missile System Can Increase Accuracy, Kill Rate, But There's a Problem for Ukraine

On Tuesday, the United States announced a new aid package for Ukraine, which included the "first-ever transfer to Ukraine of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System, capable of intercepting cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at a significantly higher altitude than previously provided air defense systems," according to a spokesperson for the State Department.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to the United States on Wednesday to join US President Joe Biden in celebrating the transfer.

Biden to Send Patriot Missiles to Ukraineden to Send Patriot Missiles to Ukraine

Retired Maj. Gen. James "Spider" Marks previously told CNN of the system's capabilities, "It boosts accuracy and raises the kill rate, so it accomplishes precisely what you want it to do, which is provide defense on the ground against very particular targets."

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Patriot's radar system integrates "surveillance, tracking, and engagement tasks in a single unit," distinguishing it from other air defense systems.

The system's engagements with oncoming aerial threats are "virtually autonomous" with the exception of a "final launch decision" that must be made by people running the system. Ukraine has frequently requested the US Army's Patriot system, which is regarded as one of the most powerful long-range air defense systems on the market.

Patriot is an abbreviation for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target. Even though the United States did not comply during the first ten months of the conflict, a senior administration official told CNN that the "facts on the ground in Ukraine" affected their decision to do so.

As winter neared and temperatures plummeted, the Russian military has increased its attacks on the Ukrainian electrical grid and infrastructure in recent weeks. Zelensky informed Biden that "Russian missile terror" had destroyed around fifty percent of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

These assaults have only increased Ukraine's requests for Patriots. In reality, the Army considers the Patriot system to be its "most sophisticated air defense system," capable of intercepting "any airborne threat" in "all weather circumstances."

Over the past three decades, the United States military has deployed Patriot missiles in several wars. US forces at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates launched Patriot interceptors at incoming missiles in January, according to US Central Command.

Kyiv intends to utilize this security blanket to deflect incoming missiles. Since Putin authorized the invasion of Ukraine in February, Moscow has launched a barrage of missile and airstrikes against Ukrainian military and civilian targets.

Ukraine Hopes to Strengthen DEfense Through Patriot Missiles

In recent weeks, however, after the humiliating retreat of Russian forces from Kherson - the southern city that Putin had claimed as part of his country's sovereignty just one month before - Moscow has been persistent.

Russia has bombarded Ukrainian power plants, heating systems, and other energy infrastructure, leaving millions of Ukrainians without electricity or heat during the winter. This month, Russian drone strikes on the port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine left more than 1.5 million people in the dark, as per NY Times.

The Ukrainian government views the Patriot missile system as a tool to strengthen the country's air defenses. Beyond the practical, Kyiv finds symbolic benefits in the Patriot system: evidence that the United States is boosting efforts to assist Ukraine in resisting the Russian onslaught, rather than tired of its backing.

Per Daily Mail, the federal budget measure that will be voted on this week contains a sizable amount of funds for the Ukraine. Some Republicans are opposed to ongoing aid, claiming that the money should be spent domestically.

This week, Congress will vote on the $44.9 billion in aid for the Ukraine, the largest sum to date and much beyond President Biden's $37 billion request.

Several Republican senators have stated that they would not attend Zelensky's presentation to Congress on Wednesday evening, during which the Ukrainian president is anticipated to beg for even more assistance. However, Republican Leaders Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are expected to go.

McCarthy has also cautioned that financial aid may not be as readily available when the Republicans win control of the House on January 3. Many Republican politicians believe that funding destined for the Ukraine should be redirected to the United States.

In his presentation to Congress, Zelensky will advocate for increased funding and military help. Several members of Congress have visited the Ukraine throughout the previous ten months of conflict.