Sweden sends Patriot system to Poland

Around 100 officers and soldiers will go to eastern Poland together with the Swedish air defense system. The mission will be to protect the airport at Rzeszow, which since the start of the war has served as a logistics hub for international aid to Ukraine, from Russian attacks.

- We must ensure that important material gets to Ukraine, says Ulf Kristersson (M).

The effort begins on December 1 when Sweden replaces the Netherlands, and is expected to last for seven months. The government does not want to know how many Patriot systems are involved. According to Defense Minister Pål Jonson, the Swedish Armed Forces see the risks of disposing of the Patriot system as manageable.

- What you should also take with you is that, after previous assignments, we have received better dressings than what we have sent out, says Pål Jonson.

The announcement that Sweden is sending its most advanced air defense system comes at the same time as Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently warned of Russian attacks.

Sweden has on several occasions sent Gripen planes to Poland as part of NATO operations. This will be the first deployment abroad with air defense.

- We have to prepare for the fact that the security situation will be worse for a long time, says Pål Jonson.