About 100 Ukrainian troops will head to Oklahoma’s Fort Sill to begin training on the Patriot missile defence system as soon as next week, the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday.
“The training will prepare approximately 90 to 100 Ukrainian soldiers to operate, maintain and sustain the defensive system over a training course expected to last several months,” Pentagon press secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder said.
“Once fielded, the Patriot will … contribute to Ukraine's air defence capabilities and provide another capability to Ukrainian people to defend themselves against Russia's continuing aerial assaults.”
Ukraine has long sought the Patriot surface-to-air guided missile system because it can be used against aircraft, cruise missiles and shorter-range ballistic missiles.
During his late December visit to the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the battery would make a significant difference in Kyiv’s defences against Russia’s invasion.
"The Patriot will add to the air defence capabilities of Ukraine," Brig Gen Ryder said.
"As we've seen over the last number of months in particular, Russia has really intensified its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, really across the country."
The number of Ukrainians coming to Fort Sill is about the number it takes to operate one battery.
Kyiv’s decision to take troops off the battlefield to train across the Atlantic in the US is unusual, although it has sent forces for short-term training at European bases for other more complex systems it has received.
The US pledged one Patriot battery in December as part of one of several large military assistance packages it has given Ukraine in recent weeks. Last week Germany pledged an additional Patriot battery.
Each battery consists of a vehicle-mounted launching system with eight launchers that can hold up to four missile interceptors each, a ground radar, a control station and a generator.
The US Army said it has 16 Patriot battalions.
The Patriot batteries will complement a variety of air defence systems that the US and Nato partners have pledged to Ukraine.
The country is facing a growing barrage of missiles and drones against its civilian population and infrastructure in the 11-month conflict.
They will be delivered to Ukraine after the training.
In the past few months, Germany has pledged four Iris-T air-defence systems.
The US has pledged eight mid-range National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and Avenger air defence systems.
Associated Press contributed to this report
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6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
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Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
What is an ETF?
An exchange traded fund is a type of investment fund that can be traded quickly and easily, just like stocks and shares. They come with no upfront costs aside from your brokerage's dealing charges and annual fees, which are far lower than on traditional mutual investment funds. Charges are as low as 0.03 per cent on one of the very cheapest (and most popular), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, with the maximum around 0.75 per cent.
There is no fund manager deciding which stocks and other assets to invest in, instead they passively track their chosen index, country, region or commodity, regardless of whether it goes up or down.
The first ETF was launched as recently as 1993, but the sector boasted $5.78 billion in assets under management at the end of September as inflows hit record highs, according to the latest figures from ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five largest providers BlackRock’s iShares, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisers, Deutsche Bank X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
While the best-known track major indices such as MSCI World, the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, you can also invest in specific countries or regions, large, medium or small companies, government bonds, gold, crude oil, cocoa, water, carbon, cattle, corn futures, currency shifts or even a stock market crash.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE SPECS
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Power: 165hp
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