As the Russians were damaged twice the radar of a patriotic system in Ukraine. Disclosure of a NATO general
The Russian forces managed to damage the radar of a Patriot anti-aircraft defense system in two lines in the service of the Ukrainian army, according to statements made by General-Major Mike Keller, deputy commander of the NATO mission for Ukraine. The information was presented in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, in which Keller detailed the challenges behind the operational maintenance of Western technique on the Ukrainian front.
Patriot system/photo: x
According to him, the first attack took place a few months ago, and the damages suffered by the patriot radar were initially considered irrecoverable by the manufacturer. The equipment was transported to Germany, where the experts said the repair is impossible and that the complete replacement would be needed – a process that would have lasted several years. In the context of constant threats from Russia, Ukraine could not afford such an operational break.
In the absence of a standard solution, the repair was taken over by specialists of the US Land Forces Command in Europe and Africa (Usareur-AF), based in Wiesbaden. “For a week, they worked in 16 hours to recondition the radar,” the general said. The effort was successful: the system was restored and returned to Ukraine in July.
But only a few weeks later, the radar was hit again, this time following a recent attack on Russian forces. Keller has confirmed a new intervention of American teams in Germany, in an attempt to remedy the damage and maintain the operational system. So far, the Ukrainian authorities have not publicly commented on the two incidents.
“We did not resign. We mobilized again the specialists in Wiesbaden-people with experience in the Air Forces, who managed to bring the radar to life. In July, he was sent to Ukraine again. And now, unfortunately, we have registered a new damage.”Keller said in the interview.
The dynamics of military aid
During the same discussion, the NATO representative explained that part of the military assistance to Ukraine is planned, while another part represents punctual reactions to unforeseen events, such as the loss of an essential component such as Patriot radar.
Keller also mentioned that the rhythm of deliveries suffered a temporary recoil after Donald Trump's return to the American administration, but the logistics flow was resumed. On average, NATO transports about 18,000 tons of help – weapons, ammunition, equipment and vehicles monthly monthly.
At the same time, there is a fast intervention fund of 100 million euros, used for the urgent needs of Ukrainian forces. From this budget were purchased, for example, 100 ATVs for the fast operations carried out near the front line.
About tanks, drones and the new face of war
Regarding the absence of tanks in the last western support, Keller claims that this change reflects the evolutionary nature of the conflict. According to him, the land and tactics have made the tanks no longer an operational priority, while the drones became essential.
The NATO official states that Ukraine proposes an internal production capacity of up to 10 million drones annually-an ambitious figure, which indicates the transformation of the war into a conflict of cheap and efficient technologies, rather than heavy armament.
In July, Germany announced that it will provide two additional patriot systems. The statements regarding possible additional deliveries from the US were ambiguous: Donald Trump has evoked numbers between 16 and 17 units, without specifying whether it is complete systems, launchers or just missiles.
Analysts have suggested that the statement refers, most likely, to launchers-part of a larger coordinated support package and European partners. The Netherlands, for example, was the first country to announce that it will contribute financially to the purchase of patriot rockets within the Purl program.
