Patriot Missiles

In News

  • Recently, the U.S. finally announced that it would send the Patriot, its most advanced ground-based air defence system, to Ukraine. 

Patriot Missile System

  • The Patriot (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target).
  • Initially developed as a system to intercept high-flying aircraft, by U.S. aerospace and defence giant Raytheon Technologies Corp.
  • The Patriot system’s radar has a range of over 150 km and it can track over 50 potential targets at the same time. 
  • Usage:
    • Currently, Patriot batteries can defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, jets and “other threats”.
    • It has been deployed in 18 countries, including the U.S. 
    • It is operational across NATO geography.
    • It is in high demand in West Asia, where America’s allies such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel have been using it. 
  • Limitation:
    • It doesn’t offer protection against low-flying small drones. 

Source: TH