Germany is gradually withdrawing Patriot air defense systems from Poland.
(Baonghean.vn) - The German Ministry of Defence announced that it has begun withdrawing its Patriot air defense missile system and military personnel from Poland.
The German Ministry of Defence announced that it is beginning to gradually withdraw three Patriot air defense systems and its troops from Poland.
"On November 10th, the German missile defense and air defense task force will complete its mission as part of NATO's security enhancement operations. Following this, on November 15th, the personnel and three combat units will be gradually withdrawn back to Germany," the German Ministry of Defence announced.
Germany supplied Poland with Patriot systems and crews in January of this year, following an incident in November 2022 when a Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile strayed and struck the village of Przewodow (Poland). In total, three German Patriot systems are deployed in Poland, along with approximately 320 Bundeswehr (the name of the German Federal Defence Force) personnel.
Meanwhile, the Patriot air defense system was deployed in Slovakia from NATO partner countries last March, shortly after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine.
Germany's deployment of Patriot air defense missile systems in Poland and Slovakia is believed to be aimed at strengthening NATO's eastern flank defenses.
In April 2023, German media reported that the air defense systems would only remain in Poland until June. Subsequently, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak called for an extension of the systems' stay. In August, reports indicated that the systems would remain in Poland until the end of the year.
Germany had 36 Patriot missile systems during the Cold War. Today, Germany has only 11 Patriot systems.