Israel may transfer up to 8 Patriot batteries to Ukraine even as war in Israel’s north heats up

Israel is in talks with the United States and Ukraine about sending up to eight Patriot batteries to Ukraine, unnamed sources said on Thursday.

The Patriot batteries have been on loan to Israel from the U.S. for several years and they were recently taken off the field, as they were being replaced with newer systems, Israel said in April. However, according to reports, they are currently being used in Israel's war against Hamas.

U.S. officials said that retiring the Patriot batteries had “opened the way for talks to redeploy them to Ukraine.”

“It’s been discussed between the U.S. and Israeli governments but nothing has been determined,” one of the individuals familiar with the discussions said.

Ukraine reportedly needs more air defense systems and receiving eight Patriot batteries would triple its stock, as they currently have four patriots.

Patriot batteries include radar, launchers and interceptor systems, with each able to fire dozens of interceptor missiles in a single engagement with attacking planes, missiles or rockets. Each battery reportedly has the ability to intercept all types of Russian missiles, including the latest Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles.

While Israel was initially open to the idea of transferring the batteries to Ukraine, it may now be hesitant.

The prospects of all-out war with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon means Israel might need to have all of its air defense systems available, including retired Patriot batteries, according to a source familiar with the U.S.-Israel talks. In addition to the Patriot batteries, Israel has the Iron Dome, which defends against rocket attacks, and the Arrow, which defends against ballistic missiles. Hezbollah is estimated to have at least 150,000 missiles and rockets pointed at Israeli cities.

In addition, Israel allegedly has refused to send military aid to Ukraine due to concerns about its relationship with Russia. The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli officials fear that sending military assistance to Ukraine could upset the careful balance in Syria that makes it possible for the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to carry out operations against Iranian targets in Syria.

“Before the war in Ukraine, there had been a fairly extensive set of understandings between Russia and Israel. They involved the war in Syria, Russians in Israel, and Iran’s regional activities,” said Jon Alterman, a senior vice president at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.  

“But the war in Ukraine turned the Israeli calculus on its head because it pushed Russia to align more closely with its principal regional adversary, Iran,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for more air defense systems and has also asked Israel directly for air defense equipment, including the Iron Dome aerial defense system. More recently, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs at least seven more Patriot systems to defend itself from Russian attacks.

Ukrainian civilians have suffered attacks from Russia from ballistic and cruise missiles, in addition to explosive drones. The Iranian regime is Russia's primary supplier of drones used against Ukraine.

U.S. munitions stored in Israel have been transferred to Ukraine for use against Russia with an estimated 300,000 shells supplied from U.S. stocks in Israel.