NATO's top commander says Patriot missile transfer to Kyiv in progress

The Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Europe, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, has confirmed that preparations are underway for the swift transfer of additional Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. 

Speaking at a security conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, General Grynkewich stated that NATO is coordinating closely with Berlin on the matter, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

"Preparations are underway, we are working very closely with the Germans on the Patriot transfer", he said. "The guidance that I have been given has been to move out as quickly as possible." 

His remarks appear to contrast with recent comments from the German Ministry of Defence. On July 16, Berlin stated it had no information regarding the delivery of Patriot units to Ukraine, despite earlier assertions from U.S. President Donald Trump that such transfers had already begun.

On July 11, under newly invoked Presidential Drawdown Authority, President Trump announced a plan to transfer U.S. Patriot missile systems to Ukraine via NATO allies, financed by those nations. 

The package may include up to 17 Patriot batteries and around 30 Patriot interceptors, plus medium-range rockets. 

Analysts note Ukraine currently operates around ten Patriot systems, but their high operational cost and vulnerability to sophisticated Russian missiles limit effectiveness.

By Aghakazim Guliyev