Poland to host Patriot missile maintenance centre

Poland said Tuesday it will host a maintenance centre for the US-made Patriot air-defence system, describing the decision as a major step in defence cooperation with Washington.

Deputy Defence Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak announced the centre on X and said it followed months of negotiations. She said Poland had beaten bids from Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, with the Polish offer rated highest.

Sobkowiak told state broadcaster TVP Info that the agreement marked a shift in Washington's approach to sharing technology and specialist capabilities. She said the maintenance-centre contract was worth $255 million and that establishing the facility would take several months.

She said she hoped the project could eventually help Poland develop the capacity to produce Patriot missiles domestically.

Poland is a NATO member bordering Ukraine and a major logistics hub for military aid sent by Kyiv's allies. Patriot interceptor missiles are among Ukraine's key air-defence assets as it tries to repel Russian missile and drone attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that several European countries were ready to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their own stockpiles but were awaiting US approval.