The Dutch government has said it will lead an initiative by some European countries to supply a Patriot air defense missile system to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is of course still under attack. The air strikes continue,” Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in Brussels on Tuesday. “Patriot systems are in short supply in Europe and NATO, but we are now taking a step forward, so we will supply components of Patriot systems,” she said.
A press release from the Dutch Ministry of Defense states that “The Netherlands has identified which countries could offer additional Patriot parts and ammunition” to supply Ukraine with a complete system. It is not stated which countries are involved.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the NATO military alliance, said air defense is the “most urgent need.” He said EU countries are “increasing the supply of ammunition, air defense systems and in particular the most advanced, the Patriot systems.”
