The German government has offered Poland to extend the deployment of German “Patriot” air defense systems until the end of the year. This is to meet the security needs of the neighbors.
The Federal Ministry of Defense has agreed to extend the deployment of German troops stationed in Poland with “Patriot” systems. Berlin has offered Warsaw to “continue the stationing of three German “Patriot” squadrons beyond the summer, which was originally planned for a maximum of six months”, probably until the end of the year, the ministry said. The systems made “a valuable contribution to the protection of the civilian population and our alliance area on the eastern flank as part of the integrated NATO air defence”.
The German “Patriot” squadrons have been deployed in Zamosc in south-eastern Poland since January to protect the country’s airspace. The city is not far from the border with Ukraine. The systems were originally supposed to be stationed there for a maximum of six months.
Offer bears Polish need for security The invoice
At a meeting with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in early July, his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak expressed hope that the stationing would be extended. The offer takes into account the security needs of the Polish friends, said the SPD politician according to the announcement.
“We are still at your side as a reliable partner,” Pistorius is quoted as saying. “During my recent visit to Poland, I experienced the close cooperation between the armed forces – I saw how the German-Polish relationship has grown in this joint project.”
No extension beyond the current year
According to the ministry, an extension beyond the current year is not planned. In the coming year, the “Patriot” systems, as part of the NATO crisis reaction force NRF (NATO Response Force), should make an important contribution to the deterrence and defense capability of the alliance, according to the ministry. Appropriate preparations are now beginning.
Germany offered the “Patriot” systems after a rocket hit the Polish border area with Ukraine in mid-November. The offer initially led to a dispute between Berlin and Warsaw: Warsaw had suggested passing on the offered “Patriot” batteries to Ukraine. The federal government rejected this. In the end, both sides agreed that they would be stationed in Poland after all and not handed over to Kiev.