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The German armed forces are starting to move three "Patriot" air defense batteries to Poland, DPA reported.

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Advanced weapons systems are being sent to the NATO ally to protect critical infrastructure along its border with Ukraine.

The first troops from the batteries are expected to leave today from the northern part of East Germany, DPA learned from security sources.

The parts are expected to arrive in Poland in the next few days.

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After a missile strike hit Polish territory in November, then-Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and her Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak agreed to move Patriot batteries from Germany to Poland. 

"Patriot" is a surface-to-air missile system that is American-made and is mainly used by the US military and several allied countries, DPA recalls.

According to the US State Department, "Patriot" is capable of "shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at a higher altitude compared to air defense systems provided so far", notes BTA.

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Patriot missile systems