Cpt. Adam Miller, spokesman for the United States European Command – EUCOM said that the United States is sending two Patriot missile defense systems batteries to Poland to counter the potential threat to the US and NATO allies during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Patriot is an American surface-to-air missile system on a mobile automobile platform. It is designed to combat manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, including aeroplanes and helicopters, as well as cruise missiles. It is also used against short and medium-range tactical ballistic missiles.

Capt. Adam Miller wrote that General Tod D. Wolters, commander of the US European Command, ordered US Army Europe and Africa to move two Patriot batteries to Poland at the request of the Secretary of Defense and at the invitation of our Polish allies.

“This is a prudent force-protection measure that underpins our commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and will in no way support any offensive operation, referring to the principle that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all members. Every step taken by the US is aimed at stopping aggression and reassuring US allies”.

In 2018 Poland signed a contract for the purchase of two Patriot batteries as part of the first stage of the Wisła air defense program. According to the announcements of the Ministry of National Defense, they will be delivered to Poland at the turn of 2022 and 2023.

Adrian Andrzejewski