The Ministry of Defence is working with partners to accelerate the delivery of missiles for the MIM-104 Patriot air defence systems.

According to the Ministry on 16 February, these air defence systems demonstrate the highest efficiency among both foreign and Ukrainian systems.

Recently, during the “Ramstein” meeting, and on the instructions of the President, agreements were reached with a number of European partners on the urgent supply of Patriot missiles from their stockpiles.

The Ministry explains why these missiles are critically important, what types exist, and what targets they destroy.

Why Patriot missiles are critically important

During the Ramstein meeting, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov emphasised that PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system are the most effective means against Russian ballistic missiles.

“Today Russia launched one of the largest ballistic attacks on Ukraine — more than 24 missiles. The most effective means of countering ballistic missiles are PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system. We critically need capabilities to intercept ballistic threats because Russia aims to destroy our critical infrastructure this winter”, — the Minister stressed.

He also highlighted the importance of increasing contributions to the PURL programme, through which Ukraine receives PAC-3 and other vital interceptor missiles.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Patriot systems have destroyed almost all known types of Russian aerial targets — including Su-34 supersonic fighter-bombers, Kh-101, Kh-555, Kalibr cruise missiles, Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, and the most modern Zircon hypersonic missiles.

Types of Patriot missiles

Patriot systems use three main types of missiles:

  • PAC-2 — the earliest Patriot missiles. They have fragmentation warheads that detonate near aerial targets, creating a cloud of shrapnel. Effective against aerodynamic targets such as aircraft and cruise missiles, capable of engaging aircraft at altitudes up to 24 km and at distances up to 160 km.

  • PAC-3 CRI — highly manoeuvrable interceptor missiles. They reach very high speeds and strike targets directly, using kinetic impact to destroy them. Effective against hypersonic aeroballistic targets, capable of intercepting them at altitudes up to 20 km and distances up to 40 km.

  • PAC-3 MSE — the newest and most effective interceptors with improved engines and high manoeuvrability. They also use kinetic impact but have better dynamics and airborne agility. Capable of intercepting ballistic targets at altitudes up to 24 km and distances up to 60 km.

Recently, representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence met with a delegation from RTX, the American manufacturer of Patriot systems, to discuss accelerating missile deliveries and developing Ukraine’s internal maintenance capabilities for advanced Western weapons.

In January, the Ministry reported that Ukraine had received two additional Patriot systems, and listed five key advantages of these air defence systems.