The German armed forces have started moving the first two of the three promised batteries of the Patriot air defense system to Poland.
Three motorcades with 40 vehicles and 150 soldiers left Gnoien, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, for Poland on Monday. The transfer of the third system is planned to start in a couple of days.
The Patriot systems are scheduled to be delivered near Zamosc in southeastern Poland by Wednesday afternoon.
Soldiers of the German armed forces – Bundeswehr – have been stationed in Poland since January 16 to guarantee the safe delivery of systems.
The commander of the German contingent in Poland, Jörg Sievers, emphasized that “Patriot” is a defense system, and the purpose is to protect NATO airspace, as well as the territory, infrastructure and population of Poland.
After a missile fired during the Ukrainian war fell on Polish territory in November, then German Defense Minister Kristine Lambrecht and Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak agreed on the delivery of “Patriot” systems to Poland. The initial duration of the mission is limited to six months.
