Germany's Defense Minister promised Poland an additional Patriot system to protect the arms shipments destined for Ukraine.

Minister of Defense of Germany Boris Pistorius has proposed to redeploy German Patriot air defense batteries in Poland to protect a crucial logistics hub through which weapons are supplied to Ukraine.

Three batteries will be deployed starting from the new year and will remain on duty for six months, reports the DPA agency.

The Polish Minister of Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, welcomed Germany's decision on social media.

“We are currently coordinating the exact details of the transfer with Poland, other allies, and NATO in Brussels,” said Pistorius.

The batteries will cover the Rzeszów airport, confirmed DPA. It is located near the Ukrainian border and has become the main transit hub for aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Additionally, there is a railway line compatible with Soviet gauge, similar to that in Ukraine. Currently, this area is protected by American Patriot batteries.

In 2023, Berlin has already sent three air defense batteries to Poland after a missile, likely from Ukrainian air defense, fell in one of the Polish villages. They were stationed in the city of Zamość.

As noted by DPA, the new deployment of German Patriots is not due to a change in the security situation.

Background. Meanwhile, today the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Ruben Brekelmans, announced that his country has transferred to Ukraine three launchers of the Patriot air defense system.