The United States will send two Patriot batteries to Poland. Comment by the Head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, Mikhailo Dorczyk

“On orders from the Secretary of Defense and at the invitation of our Polish allies, General (Todd) Walters has ordered (…) to move two Patriot batteries to Poland,” said Scott Girengili, a spokesman for US Forces Command in Europe.

He added that their deployment came “to counter any potential threats to US forces and their allies, and NATO territories.”

Earlier, US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland spoke about the possible deployment of systems in Poland.

On Wednesday, on Radio Plus, the head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, Mikhail Dorchik, was asked if he could confirm US information about the transfer of two batteries of Patriot missile defense systems to Poland. – This is information from the American side, but of course we are interested in strengthening Poland’s air defense – he said. He noted that due to the fact that Poland helps Ukraine and Ukrainians a lot, we need such reinforcement. – He stressed that we are very happy that these two batteries will be stationed in Poland.

Asked whether they would stay with us until the end of the armed conflict in Ukraine, Dworchik answered: “It is the decision of the US government or the US army, but we are counting on the fact that as long as the situation requires it, these and Barriot batteries will be stationed in Poland.”

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

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “the authorities of the Republic of Poland, after consulting with the President and Government of the Republic of Poland, are ready to Immediately and free of charge transport all MIG-29s to the base in Ramstein and placed at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote: “At the same time, Poland asks the USA to supply it with used aircraft of similar operational capabilities. And Poland is ready to immediately agree to the terms of purchase of these machines.” “The Polish government is also asking other NATO countries – owners of MIG-29 aircraft – to do similar things,” he added.

The announcement of the Polish proposal was made by the Pentagon. “The prospect of aircraft at the disposal of US authorities taking off from the US and NATO base in Germany and flying into the disputed airspace with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. commented in a statement. “It is simply not clear to us that there is a concrete justification for this,” he added.

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