Bundeswehr sends Patriot systems to Poland: Protection of the east flank!

Bundeswehr sends Patriot systems to Poland: Protection of the east flank!

Sanitz, Deutschland - The Federal Department of Defense plans to relocate patriot air defense systems to Poland. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) offered NATO to send German patriot units in November 2024 to contribute to the protection of the NATO alliance on the eastern flank. The patriot systems are currently stationed at various locations in Germany, including Sanitz (Rostock district), Bad Sülze (Vorpommern-Rügen district) and Husum (North Friesland, Schleswig-Holstein).

The planned laying comprises two Patriot fire units and around 200 soldiers who are expected to be stationed in southeastern Poland for a period of six months. The forces are subordinate to NATO, and according to ndr.de should be announced in the next few days. In the past, German patriot units from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania were already in action in Poland, especially near Zamosc, to ensure air monitoring on the NATO-East flank.

strategic considerations and security situation

The relocation of the patriot systems to Poland serves to support logistical nodes for material deliveries to Ukraine and is part of an ongoing commitment of the Bundeswehr to supply Ukraine with vehicles, weapons and ammunition. zdf.de reports that the planned stationing in the Rzeszow area is also provided to support the transport of armaments. This decision comes after Poland sent fighter jets in November 2023 to react to the continued Russian attacks on Ukraine.

The Bundeswehr's patriot systems are able to combat destinations with a range of around 100 kilometers and up to 30 kilometers. However, the planned stationing is not to be understood as a direct reaction to a changed security situation, but part of fundamental strategic considerations to strengthen defense on the NATO-East flank.

-transmitted by West-Ost-Medien