In southeastern Poland, two German army Patriot systems will protect the airport near Rzeszow for the next six months. This airport is of strategic importance as it serves as a central logistical hub for Western military aid to Ukraine. Around 200 soldiers will operate the state-of-the-art air defense systems, which will primarily secure the airspace over NATO territory and at the same time ensure the logistical supply of Ukraine, as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius explained.
The airport near Rzeszow is only about 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and had previously been protected by US soldiers and their Patriot systems. This transfer of responsibility for protection to the Bundeswehr underlines the close military cooperation between Germany and Poland within the framework of NATO and EU alliance loyalty. Defense Minister Pistorius praised Poland's role as an "incredible political and military ally" of Ukraine, which had proven itself during the conflict with Russia.
Previously, German Patriot squadrons were deployed in eastern Poland from January to November 2023 to monitor the airspace. From summer 2025, Germany plans to additionally deploy an alert squadron of Eurofighter fighter jets to Poland to secure the airspace over Romania. These missions demonstrate the Bundeswehr's commitment to the joint defense of NATO territory.
and 