Germany has trained a second group of Ukrainian soldiers to operate the Patriot air defense system.
The completion of the training course was announced on Friday, December 1, by Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow, Commander of Basic Military Organisation.
The training course for about 70 soldiers and officers lasted more than six weeks. From now on, the Ukrainian military can operate the Patriot air defense system independently.
Protecting Ukraine’s airspace is a top priority, as Russian strikes are deliberately destroying civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the German general emphasized. According to Marlow, personnel competence has reached the level that will allow Ukrainians to operate this air defense system independently and perform combat missions.
The training program was attended by experienced Ukrainian officers with years of service in air defense units. Many of the Ukrainian soldiers had experience with the Soviet-era S-300 surface-to-air missile system.
“All of them have combat experience and have previously served in air defense,” said the German instructor.
Militarnyi reported that the second group of Ukrainian soldiers had begun mastering the Patriot air defense system in Germany. The training of Ukrainians started on Monday, October 30.
The training course was launched after the German government announced a new future large-scale military aid package for Ukraine.
Germany is providing additional air defense equipment, namely the Patriot, IRIS-T, and Gepard systems, to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
The Patriot system will come from the Bundeswehr’s depots, in addition to a fire control station and a radar station, and will include eight launchers and possibly over 60 missiles. This air defense assistance package is reportedly worth about €1 billion.
Patriot from Germany
Ukraine received the first Patriot SAM system from Germany in April 2023. The transfer took place immediately after the completion of training for Ukrainian operators, who began mastering the system in early February.
Also in August, Germany handed Ukraine two additional Patriot launchers and missiles for this air defense system.