Netherlands to join Patriot training, arming program for Ukraine

Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on January 17 that his country plans to “join” the US and Germany’s efforts to train and arm Ukraine with advanced Patriot defence systems.

Rutte signalled the Netherlands’ intentions at the start of a White House meeting with President Joe Biden, AP writes. The Dutch defence ministry said that Rutte’s announcement came after Ukraine had asked the Netherlands to provide “Patriot capacity.”

“We have the intention to join what you are doing with Germany on the Patriot project,” Rutte told Biden. “I think that it’s important we join that.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that the Netherlands had agreed to send Ukraine a Patriot battery. “So, there are now three guaranteed batteries. But this is only the beginning. We are working on new solutions to strengthen our air defence,” Zelenskyy said.

Rutte, who said he also spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday about the potential assistance, was vaguer about the commitment in his public comments. He told Dutch broadcaster NOS that his government is in talks about what exactly it can contribute. The Dutch military has four Patriot systems, one of which is not in service, according to the defence ministry.

“The idea is not only training but also equipment,” Rutte told NOS. He added that the Dutch military is now reviewing “what exactly we have, how can we ensure that it works well with the American and German systems.”

He added during a forum at Georgetown University that the decision was a recognition that “we all have to do more” as Ukraine enters a critical phase in the war.

Rutte spoke about the potential assistance as Ukrainian troops arrived at Oklahoma’s Fort Sill Army base to begin training on operating and maintaining the Patriot missile defence system. The Patriot is the most advanced surface-to-air missile system the West has provided to Ukraine to help repel Russian aerial attacks.

Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that training will last for several months, and train 90 to 100 Ukrainian troops on how to use the Patriot missile system.