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Patriots and NASAMS Deployed in Poland to Guard NATO Supply Hub for Ukraine Against Russian Threats
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
The Netherlands will deploy two Patriot air defense missile systems and approximately 300 troops to Poland later this year as part of NATO’s efforts to secure a critical Ukraine support hub, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced on August 20.
The deployment, scheduled to run from December 1, 2025, through June 1, 2026, will protect the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) logistics center.
The site has become an indispensable lifeline for Kyiv, coordinating the delivery of Western-donated weapons and overseeing the training of Ukrainian forces.
The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile uses #Boeing's seeker technology to intercept and destroy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hostile aircraft through direct body-to-body impact. #SMDSymposium pic.twitter.com/WC8O9S2pEe
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) August 8, 2018
The Dutch contribution goes beyond the Patriots. The package also includes a NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) battery and short-range anti-drone systems, creating a layered defense designed to counter everything from ballistic missiles and high-speed aircraft to cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans underlined the strategic significance of the mission, stressing that The Hague is willing to commit scarce resources to where they are most urgently needed.
“This way, we keep the Russian threat as far away as possible,” Brekelmans said, adding that the mission serves three goals: defending NATO territory, deterring further Russian aggression, and ensuring continued support for Ukraine.
According to the military outlet Armyrecognition, the move reflects a growing shift in NATO strategy along its eastern flank, where Russian long-range missile and drone attacks have repeatedly struck near Ukraine’s border with alliance territory.
Analysts warn that rear-area hubs such as the NSATU facility are increasingly at risk, making enhanced air defenses not just a precaution but an operational necessity.
The Patriots, equipped with PAC-3 interceptors and advanced radar systems, will provide long-range coverage against high-altitude threats like ballistic missiles.
NASAMS, jointly developed by Norway and the US, fills the medium-range layer with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles optimized for low-altitude threats such as drones and cruise missiles. Combined with short-range anti-drone technologies, the deployment creates a defensive “bubble” around one of NATO’s most important logistical nodes.
Earlier, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands agreed to reopen the historic Iron Rhine railway to enhance military mobility in Europe amid growing security concerns over Russia.
