NATO Weighs Increasing Air Defense Support for Ukraine Amidst Russian Threats
WASHINGTON D.C. – As Russia intensifies it’s aerial attacks on Ukraine, NATO is considering providing Kyiv with additional air defense systems, potentially freeing up 12-21 Patriot batteries from its existing stockpile, according to a recent analysis by Robert Hamilton, Ph.D., president of the Delphi Global Research Center. While NATO currently fields up to 100 Patriot batteries – with the United States alone operating approximately 60 – experts beleive making additional systems available to Ukraine is “feasible at an acceptable risk” to other global missions.
The discussion centers on bolstering Ukraine’s layered air defense network, which already includes systems like the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System and S-300. However,the primary constraint isn’t the batteries themselves,but the availability of interceptor missiles,potentially requiring increased production from the United states. Beyond missile systems, a comprehensive defense requires electronic warfare capabilities, kinetic systems, and interceptor drones – areas where Ukraine has demonstrated growing proficiency and could benefit from further Western funding.
Despite Russian warnings of targeting NATO forces operating within Ukraine, Hamilton argues the threat is largely “empty,” noting that in over two years of operation, no Patriot battery in Ukraine has been permanently disabled by Russian attacks. He contends a greater risk lies in Russia targeting undefended civilian areas within NATO countries if the alliance allows itself to be deterred from defending its territory.
Hamilton, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army and former professor at the U.S. Army War College,concludes that failing to act decisively could lead to military escalation with Russia or a weakening of the transatlantic alliance.
