WARSAW, Poland — As two German Patriot air-defense batteries are set to begin full operations in Rzeszów, south-eastern Poland, the two countries’ defense ministers met today near the town that has become a logistics hub for Ukraine aid.
Germany has deployed two Patriot batteries to Rzeszów along with around 200 German troops to protect the city’s military logistics infrastructure. Once the systems reach full operational capacity on Jan. 27, they are to ensure anti-missile protection over the area for at least six months, according to Germany’s Ministry of Defense.
Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine in February 2022, Rzeszów, a large Polish city in close proximity to the country’s border with Ukraine, has been transformed into a key location in the flow of Western gear to the Ukrainian military.
The Rzeszów-Jasionka airport, in particular, is instrumental in the transport chain. An estimated 90 to 95 percent of Western weapons and military equipment for Ukraine are transported via the hub, according to data from the Polish ministry.
The Jan. 23 visit there by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius came shortly after the defense ministers of Poland, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, collectively dubbed the E5, met in Warsaw to discuss joint military drills to be held in 2026 and their defense industries’ cooperation with Ukraine.
“States are safe when three principles are met: the strength of their societies, the strength of their militaries, and the strength of their alliances,” Polish Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said, as quoted in a statement released by his ministry.
“We are developing these three pillars, while at the same time strengthening our allied relations with the Federal Republic of Germany,” according to Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Pistorius tempered expectations that Berlin’s Patriot fire units could remain in Rzeszów for longer than six months. The systems will be needed for Germany’s own defense at that time, he said, suggesting other Patriot user nations should offer replacements.
Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.
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