Germany will deploy two Patriot air defense systems in Poland to protect the logistics center of international military assistance to Ukraine.

The German Aid to Ukraine monitoring project reported on this.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made the statement on the sidelines of the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which was held in the Ramstein format in Germany.

The German Ministry of Defense proposed to the North Atlantic Alliance that the German Patriot air defense system be deployed in Poland by the end of November 2024. During the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Boris Pistorius confirmed that this proposal would be implemented.

Two MIM-104 Patriot systems and 200 Bundeswehr soldiers will be deployed in Poland for about six months, starting in late January 2025.

According to the German Aid to Ukraine monitoring project, this means that German troops are returning to Poland after more than a year’s break.

In addition to Germany, Norway also deployed its air defense systems to protect the logistics center. In December 2024, Norway deployed the NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport.

In addition to the SAMs, Norway has also deployed its F-35 fighter jets to Poland, with a total of 100 Norwegian servicemen on duty. The mission is expected to last until Easter.

In addition to protecting the supply of military equipment to Ukraine from the Polish side, the German Air Force will also perform a new logistical task. According to Pistorius, Germany will provide an Airbus A330 aircraft for a full year to perform aerial refueling tasks.

These air defense enhancement operations were adopted within the framework of North Atlantic Alliance cooperation and operate under the auspices of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense.

The Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in Poland is a key transit hub for foreign military support for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. This hub receives 90% of Western aid to Ukraine.

It is located less than 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the air base has also become a major stopover point for foreign officials visiting Ukraine.