Germany Deploys Patriot Systems to Protect Key Polish Airport Near Ukraine

The Bundeswehr's air defense units will secure a strategic hub for Western military aid to Ukraine for the next six months.

Two German Patriot air defense systems have been stationed at Rzeszow Airport in southeastern Poland, a critical logistics hub for Ukraine's military support.
The deployment involves approximately 200 German troops who will operate the systems, located about 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
This marks the second deployment of German Patriot units to Poland, following a similar mission in 2023 to enhance regional airspace security.
The German units replace U.S. forces that previously safeguarded the airport, allowing the Americans to service their equipment while maintaining NATO's support for Poland and Ukraine.
Germany plans to send Eurofighter jets to Poland this summer, with a subsequent deployment to Romania to bolster NATO's eastern flank.