Ukraine sent a damaged Patriot launcher to the U.S. for repair

Air defense systems have become one of the most important weapons in Ukraine's fight against Moscow, which makes these advanced systems a prime target. One key system was recently returned damaged to the United States. 

A stunning video showing the unloading of an M903 missile launcher, one component of a larger MIM-104 Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile system, was recently caught on film as it was being unloaded from a Ukrainian Antonov An-124. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook @dustin.weese

The scene was captured by digital creator Dustin Weese and published on Facebook. The video showed the scale of the American logistical chain that helps keep Kyiv and its advanced weapons up and working to combat Russia. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook @dustin.weese

The Ukrainian military news website reported that the damaged M903 launcher made its way to the United States from Rzeszow, Poland, on April 5th. This is important since the airport in Rzeszow has been a key method of transporting military supplies to Ukraine. 

Flight24 noted the small Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport has become “the essential gateway for people and supplies entering Ukraine.” The airport is just 60 miles or 96.5 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, making it perfect for transporting people and supplies. 

According to BBC News, Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport was used by Vlodymyr Zelesnky when he made his December 2022 trip to Washington as well as Joe Biden and other foreign dignitaries on their visits to Ukraine during the war. 

The An-124 transporting the damaged M903 launcher departed from Rzeszów at 9:21 am and arrived at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, at 9:36 am according to Militaryni, where Dustin Weese was waiting. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook @dustin.weese

“It should be noted that an M860 semitrailer on which transport and launch containers with MIM-104 missiles are installed was delivered to the United States,” according to Militaryni, which went on to explain what the launcher included. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook @dustin.weese

“The launcher has a military index of M903 and consists of the M860 semitrailer itself, a generator mounted in the front, transport, and launch containers, and a data terminal antenna,” Miltaryni explained. However, the launcher was missing some components. 

A commentator on the video noted that the M903 launcher was missing its launch boxes and suggested that they had been removed for repair. However, it isn’t known when the repairs on the damaged system will begin. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook @dustin.weese

The damage to the M903 launcher does not appear to be extensive from the video but Militaryni reported that it isn’t known where the launcher was damaged before adding that the weapons repair would likely begin soon. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook @dustin.weese

The video of the damaged launcher comes at a time when Ukraine is in desperate need of more air defense systems and interceptors, a reality President Zelensky made clear on April 19th in an emotional speech to the NATO-Ukraine council. 

“Putin must be brought down to earth, and our sky must become safe again. This is realistic and depends on your choice. The choice of whether life is indeed equally valuable everywhere,” Zelensky said according to a transcript posted to his X account. 

“We are saying this directly: to defend, we need seven more ‘Patriot’ or similar air defense systems, and this is a minimum number. They can save many lives and really change the situation. You have such systems. Please, act,” Zelensky added. 

Photo Credit: X @ZelenskyyUa

Reuters reported that Zelensky had previously claimed that Ukraine has been attacked by 1,200 Russian missiles, over 1,500 drones, and more than 8,500 guided bombs since the slowdown in Western military aid began in 2023. 

Whether or not Ukraine’s allies will move to provide the country with more air defense systems is not yet known but some countries are acting. Germany agreed to send a Patriot system to Ukraine on April 13th according to Politico, but will others join Berlin?