Polish Airport Secured With Two Patriot Missile Batteries for Ukraine Aid Hub

The Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, a key logistics hub for humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, is now under the protection of two Patriot anti-aircraft missile batteries.

These systems, deployed by Germany, represent a significant enhancement to NATO’s integrated air defense along its eastern flank.

Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, during a January 23 meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, highlighted the critical role of allied cooperation in ensuring regional security. He praised Germany’s commitment to reinforcing Poland’s air defenses, noting that the Patriot systems and accompanying German personnel underscore NATO’s unified stance. "Freedom requires the strength of the alliance, support, and determination," he stated.

The Patriot systems, operated by approximately 200 German soldiers from the 21st Luftwaffe Anti-Aircraft Missile Group, aim to secure the logistics hub at Jasionka. This airport has facilitated over 90% of military and humanitarian aid deliveries to Ukraine since the conflict’s early days, making it a strategic asset.

Minister Pistorius also announced that German Eurofighter Typhoon fighters will soon patrol Polish and Romanian airspace, further bolstering NATO’s eastern defenses. This operation aligns with NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, reinforcing the alliance’s commitment to deterring threats along its borders.

Poland, dedicating nearly 5% of its GDP to military modernization in 2025, continues to expand its defense capabilities.

Upcoming discussions involving the “big five” European nations, which contribute significantly to regional security and support for Ukraine, will further shape collaborative defense strategies.

Minister Pistorius’s visit to Poland followed his tour of Lithuania, where Germany is stationing a military brigade to protect NATO’s northern allies. This deployment, expected to involve 5,000 soldiers, complements Germany’s broader contributions to NATO missions.

Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed gratitude for Germany’s commitment, citing the deployment of Patriots, Eurofighter missions, and the allied military presence as tangible examples of cooperation.