Decommissioned Israeli Patriot Systems to Reach Ukraine via the U.S.

Israel has reportedly sent decommissioned MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems to the United States.

This is according to a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister, as reported by Axios. The spokesperson added that Israel is unaware of whether these systems will be supplied to Ukraine.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that Israel informed Russia in advance of the transfer, emphasizing that it was merely returning the Patriots to the U.S. and not directly supplying them to Ukraine. The move follows Israel’s decision earlier in 2024 to retire several Patriot batteries from service.

In February 2024, the Israeli Air Force announced plans to phase out its Patriot systems, known locally as Yahalom, and retrain personnel for alternative air defense platforms. The decision aligns with Israel’s transition to newer systems such as David’s Sling and Iron Dome, which have been integrated into its multi-layered missile defense network.

Israel’s Patriot PAC-2 batteries, which include GEM-T missiles, were previously capable of engaging air targets at distances of up to 160 kilometers. Some were upgraded under a local modernization program to support PAC-3 missiles, enhancing their ability to intercept ballistic threats. Israel had an estimated eight Patriot batteries in service by late 2023, mounted on semi-trailers and German MAN truck chassis.

The Patriot system was introduced into Israeli service in 1991 but saw its first combat engagement in 2014, when it intercepted a Hamas drone from Gaza. It was later used to shoot down Syrian aircraft that violated Israeli airspace in 2014 and 2018. The system has been deployed in ongoing conflicts, including engagements against Hamas and missile threats from Iran.

Reports in June indicated that the U.S., Israel, and Ukraine were discussing a potential deal for Israeli Patriots to be sent to the U.S. before a possible transfer to Ukraine. Military sources recently stated that U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft may have flown Patriot missiles from Israel to Poland. These shipments, which included around 90 missiles stored in Israel, were reportedly moved to Rzeszów, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine.

Flight tracking data from the OSINTdefender project showed C-17s traveling from Germany’s Ramstein Air Base to Israel’s Hatzerim Air Base before continuing to Poland. While the final destination of these missiles remains unconfirmed, their transfer aligns with broader Western efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.