Sweden to deploy Patriot air defence systems to Poland
They will protect the NATO logistics hub in Rzeszów, which is the main conduit for aid to Ukraine.
Sweden plans to deploy Patriot air defense systems and approximately 100 military personnel to Poland later this year. This deployment aims to bolster the NATO logistics hub in Rzeszów, a crucial point for supplying aid to Ukraine. The move comes after Sweden and Poland have recently strengthened their defense ties, with Poland's Defense Minister hailing Sweden as "an excellent, proven ally."
The Swedish forces will protect this hub, which plays a vital role in providing military and civilian support to Ukraine. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed the deployment, emphasizing the need to safeguard NATO's logistics hub in Poland and ensure crucial equipment reaches Ukraine. The Swedish Patriot systems will take over the mission from the Netherlands, which has been stationed in Poland since last December.
Colonel Sofia Westermark, commander of Sweden’s air defense regiment, described the deployment as the most complex operation Sweden has undertaken as a NATO ally. Poland’s Defense Minister thanked Sweden and the Netherlands for their role in defending Poland and NATO’s eastern flank, highlighting the importance of this mission in the face of Russian aggression.
Written by urgent.news from Notes from Poland's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
