Ukrainian Soldiers Undergo Training in the Use of Patriot Missile Systems in the United States

Illustration of military training in Fort Sill. (Wikimedia Commons/DOD/Staft Staff. William Sallette)

JAKARTA - The United States began training Ukrainian troops at Fort Sill Military Base, Oklahoma on the use and maintenance of the Patriot missile system, Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Patrick S. Ryder said Tuesday.

"Training has started," he said during a press conference, when asked about the training, citing Sputnik News, January 18.

"Ukrainian troops have arrived at Fort Sill and have started their training," he said.

US President Joe Biden's administration is understood to have provided a Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine, for delivery following the completion of the training.

A Pentagon spokesman said some 90-100 Ukrainian troops would be trained over the next few months in how to operate and maintain the Patriot missile system.

Quoting CBS News, Brigadier General Rayder said the training was expected to last for several months.

"Fort Sill was chosen because it already ran a Patriot training school," said Brigadier General Ryder. The training at Fort Sill was first reported by CNN.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said earlier this month the Pentagon's decision to train Ukrainian troops on the missile system at Fort Sill demonstrated US "de facto participation" in the conflict on behalf of Kyiv.

Each Patriot battery consists of a truck-mounted launch system with eight launchers that can each accommodate up to four missile interceptors, ground radar, control station and generator.