Ejercicio Option B - 2 · Inglés PAU Castilla y León Extraordinaria 2023

OPTION B

HOW PATRIOT MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM COULD CHANGE UKRAINE WAR

The United States is reportedly about to send Patriot missiles batteries to Ukraine following

Kyiv’s repeated requests for more help to shoot down Russia’s constant missile attacks. With Washington

likely to approve the deal this week, this will be the most advanced surface-to-air missile the U.S. has

provided Ukraine, although it has given Kyiv other significant military aid, including High Mobility

5 Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterates his calls to Western leaders for

high-tech air defense following Russia’s targeting of civilian and energy infrastructure using missiles and

Iranian-supplied drones. Once approved, the Patriots are expected to be shipped quickly and Ukrainian

forces will be trained to use them at a U.S. base in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

10 Considered one of the most capable long-range weapons to defend against incoming ballistic and

cruise missiles, the Patriots will be able to shoot down Russian missiles and aircraft far from their

intended targets inside Ukraine. A ground-based, mobile missile defense interceptor, the Patriot system

can detect, track, and engage drones, cruise missiles, and short-range or tactical ballistic missiles,

according to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA). The systems have been combat tested in

15 the Middle East during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom and have been used to down more than

100 tactical ballistic missiles in combat operations.

The Patriot system consists of a radar set, an engagement control station, missile launchers, as well

as Patriot missiles. The radar can detect and track more than 100 targets and has a range of over 65 miles.

Former British military intelligence officer Philip Ingram said the Patriot missile system will be a

20 significant help for Ukraine, not least because of “the psychological effect on the Russians.” “It will

almost certainly be used to protect major cities such as Kyiv and Lviv and the power facilities around

them,” he said. (Fragment adapted from Newsweek.)

2) ARE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? INDICATE THE LINES THAT SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER (1 POINT).

1.

This is the first time Volodymyr Zelensky asked Western leaders for high-tech air defense.

TRUE

FALSE

2.

Ukrainian forces will be trained to use the Patriots at a German base.

TRUE

FALSE