Anti-aircraft missile system Patriot is one of the most coveted systems that Ukraine would like to receive. It was designed primarily as an anti-aircraft system, and its latest modifications can shoot down not only aircraft and cruise missiles, but also ballistic missiles..

The name Patriot is an acronym for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target).

The main advantages of this complex are the high speed of bringing to combat readiness, the ability to fire at several targets simultaneously, high maneuverability and noise immunity..

One Patriot system battery can be deployed in less than an hour. All parts of the complex - a radar installation, a control post, an antenna group, an electric power plant and launchers - move on trucks or trailers. One Patriot battery can hold 8 launchers.

One Patriot PAC-3 launcher is designed for 4 different types of MIM-104 missiles, GEM-T (Advanced Guided Missiles) or 16 ERINT (Extended Range Interceptor) missiles.

Patriot SAM and MIM-104 missiles.

The Patriot anti-aircraft missile system entered service with the United States in 1982.. It was first used in 1991 during the Gulf War.. Then the Patriot was actively used as an anti-missile, and not an anti-aircraft air defense system against Iraqi missiles.. The basis was the MIM-104 missiles.

The main characteristics of the MIM-104 Patriot missiles:.

maximum target interception range - 80 km;

minimum target interception range - 3 km;

maximum target interception height - 24 km;

minimum target interception height - 0.06 km;

the number of targets that can be fired at the same time - 8 (in the 90 ° sector);

rocket weight - 912 kg.

Air Defense Patriot PAC-3.

In parallel, the Patriot systems and interceptor missiles used in it have been optimized for protection against tactical ballistic missiles.. According to the manufacturer's specifications, the latest Patriot system can hit ballistic missiles at an altitude of 20 km. The basis is the MIM-109 missiles.

Another feature of the latest Patriot modification is that the interceptor missile hits the target directly, and does not detonate next to it..

The main characteristics of the MIM-109 missiles for Patriot:.

maximum target tracking range - 180 km.

maximum target interception range - 80 km.

maximum target interception height - 20 km.

maximum target speed - 2200 m / s.

rocket diameter - mm 254.

rocket length - mm 5010.

rocket mass - kg 318.

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As stated earlier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Patriot air defense systems can be integrated into a single tracking system along with NASAMS and IRIS-T air defense systems existing in Ukraine, which enhances their effectiveness during operation..

At the same time, in order to strengthen air defense, it is extremely important for Ukraine to receive Patriot systems, because they are capable of shooting down targets at a great distance.. In addition, several units of such systems would make it possible to close a fairly large area.

Germany is currently negotiating with allies to send the Patriot air defense systems, which were planned to be transferred to Poland, directly to Ukraine in response to the request of Warsaw.