US to expedite delivery of Patriot systems to Ukraine
Patriot air defense system (Photo:Bundeswehr)
U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems will be transferred to Ukraine sooner than previously planned, CNN reported on March 21, citing U.S. Department of Defense officials.
According to the sources, in the coming days a group of 65 Ukrainian soldiers will complete their Patriot training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After that, they will depart to Europe for additional drills.
U.S. instructors at Fort Sill have been able to significantly speed up training thanks to Ukrainians' basic knowledge of air defense systems, officials added.
“Our assessment is that the Ukrainian soldiers are impressive, and absolutely a quick study,” Fort Sill commander, Brig. Gen. Shane Morgan told CNN.
Morgan added that the Ukrainian military's extensive knowledge of air defense and combat zone experience made it easier to master Patriot systems.
The U.S. military estimated that the training course will take 10 weeks, but the Ukrainians completed it in about 8 weeks, using an “aggressive” schedule of daily training from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Earlier on March 21, White House National Security Council Speaker John Kirby said the United States was working to get Abrams tanks to Ukraine faster than previously planned.
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