The U.S. military has transferred approximately 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland, where they are expected to be delivered to Ukraine, according to multiple sources cited by Axios on Tuesday.
While neither the U.S. Department of Defense nor the Israeli government has officially confirmed the final destination of the interceptors, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office acknowledged that a Patriot system had been returned to the U.S., but stated, “It is not known to us whether it was delivered to Ukraine.”
Israel is supplying Ukraine with its former PATRIOT surface to air missile systems, and has already delivered 90 PATRIOT interceptors to Ukraine, per Axios.
The systems were first handed over to the US, who will refurbish launchers and radars before delivery to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/GqZU615tBs
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 28, 2025
The operation involved U.S. military transport aircraft, likely C-17s, moving the interceptors from Israel’s Hatzerim Air Base to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine. Open-source intelligence reports detected several C-17 flights originating from Ramstein Air Base in Germany before heading to Israel and then on to Poland.
Earlier today, a USAF C-17 transport flew from Ramstein Airbase in Germany to Nevatim Airbase in Israel, before flying directly to Rzeszow International Airport, the gateway for western aid headed to Ukraine.
The C-17 spent roughly 3 hours on the ground in Israel. pic.twitter.com/28N0WlUr4r
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 23, 2025
The Patriot air defense system is one of Ukraine’s most sought-after weapons due to its effectiveness in intercepting Russian ballistic and cruise missiles.
According to Axios, it was Ukraine that suggested that the missiles be returned to the U.S. for refurbishment before being sent to Ukraine. The move comes as the country seeks additional air defense capabilities to protect its infrastructure from ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
Israel initially hesitated to approve the proposal, citing concerns that Russia could retaliate by supplying advanced weaponry to Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to discuss the proposal for weeks but eventually approved it in late September.
Reports suggest that other military equipment, including captured Russian and Soviet-made weapons from Lebanon, could have been transported alongside the Patriot interceptors.
Israel reportedly seized more than 85,000 units of various weapons, ammunition, and equipment during past conflicts in Lebanon, including 6,840 launchers for anti-tank guided missiles, RPGs, and grenade launchers.
There has been no official confirmation that these weapons were included in the recent shipment.
