Patriot SAM systems, pictured on 20 April en route to Slovakia. (Photo: NATO)
NATO confirmed on 27 April that a Dutch-German Air and Missile Defence Task Force has deployed a battery of Patriot SAM systems near Sliač Air Base in Slovakia, ‘to reinforce defence capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank following Russia's invasion of Ukraine’.
A Patriot battery was filmed arriving at Sliač on 20 April, less than two weeks after the Slovakian government announced it had transferred its sole S-300PMU1 SAM battery to Ukraine.
Slovakia already operates three Patriot air defence batteries within the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System.
‘These ground-based defensive systems will strengthen the integrated shielding of NATO's borders and will protect Slovakia from missile threats,’ NATO stated.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the original designer and manufacturer of the system, states that more than 1,800 have been sold and, while not all customers are known, more than 1,000 of these have been bought by the US and Israel.
The first prototype M1E3 main battle tank was handed over to the US Army for testing and evaluation earlier this year, and now a pre-prototype has been unveiled. What have we learned from the vehicle first seen on 14 January?
The delivery of the Stryker infantry fighting vehicles will form one piece of the country’s effort to re-equip its forces, which includes F-16 fighter jets and new air defence systems.
A June 2024 agreement with Ukraine for Rheinmetall to provide 10 KF41s along with the establishment of a manufacturing facility in the country has moved a step closer, with the factory now built and a contract signed.
The new Rheinmetall facility will supply barrels for UK RCH 155 howitzers and Challenger 3 tanks while also opening up potential export opportunities, providing a currently absent national capability.
Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030.
Connect with us on socials
