News item | 22-04-2022 | 13:32
The Patriot air defense system in central Slovakia is operational. The fire unit is therefore ready to protect vital objects in the country against possible threats from the air.
“This is a great moment, of course,” said detachment commander Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wekking from the air base in Sliač. “We have been working hard this week to get everything ready for deployment here and as of today the first launch systems are set up and are ‘ready to fire† Now we can detect and respond to any threat from the air 24/7.”
fire unit
From central Slovakia, the soldiers from the Vredepeel will provide air defense with the Germans in the coming months. The Dutch Defense Ground-Based Air Defense Command (DGLC) deploys one fire unit, consisting of several launchers, a fire control center and a radar. The whole is supplemented with a command and logistics element. The Patriot system can disable helicopters, manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Between wooded hills
The Patriot deployment is happening jointly and under the direction of Germany at the request of NATO. Soldiers from both countries stand with their fire units just two kilometers apart, in a valley between wooded hills. The setups are located in the shadow of the medium-sized city of Zvolen.
wake up: “It is extremely valuable that we do this together with our German colleagues. The collaboration shows that NATO can act as one and gives us extra clout.”
Defense
Although it is not assumed, Russian air weapons may pose a threat to NATO territory. In that case, the Patriot system springs into action. That bet is therefore only defensive in nature. “NATO and the Netherlands are not at war with Russia,” emphasizes the commander. “We are only here to deter Russia and strengthen the defenses of our partners in Eastern Europe.”