The United States has transferred approximately 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland, where they are being delivered to Ukraine, according to a report by Axios. The move marks the most significant transfer of weapons from Israel to Ukraine since the Russian invasion nearly three years ago.
Ukraine’s acquisition of additional Patriot missiles has been a priority for the Pentagon, as they are seen as critical to the country's defense against Russian air attacks. The Israeli Air Force had decommissioned its Patriot air defense system in April 2023, after more than 30 years of use. Israel first received the Patriots during the Gulf War but has since developed its own advanced air defense systems, making the Patriot batteries largely obsolete and leaving them in storage.
According to sources who spoke to Axios, after Israel’s announcement of the decommissioning, Ukrainian officials approached both the US and Israel with a proposal for the missiles to be returned to the US, refurbished, and sent to Ukraine. Israel initially hesitated, reportedly fearing Russian retaliation, such as increased military support for Iran. Additionally, a Ukrainian official said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to take calls regarding the deal for weeks. However, Netanyahu approved the transfer in late September.
The report stated that Netanyahu wanted to secure approval from Zelensky for ultra-Orthodox Israelis to make an annual pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine, where a revered rabbi is buried. Zelensky allegedly refused to speak with Netanyahu until the Patriot deal was approved. A spokesperson for Netanyahu denied that he opposed the decommissioning or transfer of the Patriot system and also denied any connection between the deal and the pilgrimage negotiations.
A senior Israeli official told Axios that Israel informed Russia about the transfer in advance, clarifying that it was merely returning the system to the US, not supplying Ukraine directly. The official compared it to a similar move two years ago, when the US transferred artillery shells from storage in Israel to Ukraine.
US Air Force planes reportedly arrived at a base in southern Israel and transported the Patriot interceptors to eastern Poland. While Ukraine can use these interceptors with its existing Patriot batteries, additional equipment, such as radars, will need to be refurbished in the US before deployment.
Zelensky confirmed on X that he spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday, stating they discussed the release of hostages under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. He also mentioned that they “discussed maintaining close contact with partners, particularly the United States and President Trump.”
