Israel and Ukraine forming an alliance?

• The U.S. has transferred around 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland for eventual delivery to Ukraine.
• The transfer aims to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian attacks.
• Israel initially hesitated due to concerns about Russian retaliation.
• With this shift, have Israel and Ukraine formed an alliance?

A shift in strategy: U.S. and Israel collaborate to strengthen Ukraine’s defense

In a significant move to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, the United States has initiated the transfer of approximately 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland, with the ultimate goal of delivering them to Ukraine. This operation, confirmed by sources familiar with the situation to Axios, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, with the U.S. leveraging its strategic alliances to enhance Ukraine’s defensive posture.

The Patriot air defense system, officially decommissioned by the Israeli Air Force in April 2023, has been in Israeli storage for over three decades since it was first provided to Israel during the Gulf War. As Israel now relies on its own advanced air defense technologies, such as the Iron Dome, the Patriot system had been relegated to storage or training purposes. The U.S. and Ukrainian officials had proposed returning the missiles to the U.S. for refurbishment and subsequent delivery to Ukraine.

However, the process was not without its hurdles. According to a Ukrainian official, Israel initially delayed its decision for several months due to concerns that Russia might retaliate by supplying advanced weaponry to Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly refused to engage in discussions for weeks before finally approving the transfer in late September.

The transfer process and diplomatic maneuvering

The transfer of the interceptors to Poland for onward delivery to Ukraine is a complex diplomatic maneuver. U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes recently transported the interceptors from an Israeli air base to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine. Along with the interceptors, additional equipment such as radars will be sent to the U.S. for refurbishment before final delivery to Ukraine.

An Israeli official emphasized that Russia was informed in advance of the transfer, stating that Israel was merely returning the Patriots to the U.S. rather than directly supplying weapons to Ukraine. This careful handling of the situation underscores the delicate balance of international relations and the need for diplomatic precision in such high-stakes operations.

More facts about the Patriot system:

The Patriot system has been around for years, and has been used in several conflicts.

Origins and Development (1960s–1980s):

• The Patriot system was developed by Raytheon as part of the U.S. Army’s SAM-D (Surface-to-Air Missile Development) program, which began in the 1960s.
• The goal was to replace older systems like the Nike Hercules and HAWK with a more advanced, mobile, and versatile air defense system.
• The system was officially named Patriot (an acronym for “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target”) in 1976.
• The first operational units were deployed in 1984.

Key Features:

• The Patriot system uses a phased array radar (AN/MPQ-53 or AN/MPQ-65) for target detection, tracking, and engagement.
• It is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously, including aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
• The system is highly mobile, mounted on wheeled vehicles for rapid deployment.

First Major Use: Gulf War (1991):

• The Patriot system gained international attention during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in 1991, where it was used to intercept Iraqi Scud ballistic missiles.
• While its effectiveness was debated, the Patriot became a symbol of missile defense technology and was credited with protecting civilian and military targets.

Post-Gulf War Upgrades:

• Following the Gulf War, the Patriot system underwent significant upgrades to improve its capabilities against ballistic missiles.
• The PAC-2 (Patriot Advanced Capability-2) and later PAC-3 variants were developed, with PAC-3 featuring hit-to-kill technology for greater precision.

Global Deployment:

• The Patriot system has been exported to numerous U.S. allies, including Germany, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
• It has been deployed in various conflicts, including the Iraq War (2003), the Syrian Civil War, and the Yemen conflict, where it has been used to intercept missiles and drones.

Broader implications and future prospects

This transfer plan follows the Trump Administration’s plan to revitalize old military equipment and invest in core technological improvements to bolster U.S. defenses. Sending the old patriot missiles to Ukraine is a way to speed up the process of revitalization, as old military technology is discarded into the dumpster fires of Ukraine.

The transfer of these Patriot missiles also signifies a significant pivot in the U.S. and Israel’s approach to the Ukraine conflict. It comes in the wake of recent geopolitical shifts, such as the departure of Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria and the subsequent withdrawal of Iranian forces from the country. These developments have reduced the strategic concerns that had previously constrained Israel’s ability to engage more directly in the conflict.

As Israel begins to recalibrate its support for Ukraine, the broader implications are far-reaching. The move not only enhances Ukraine’s defensive capabilities but also solidifies the alliance between the U.S., Israel, and Ukraine.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

KyivIndependent.com

Enoch, Brighteon.ai