The Patriot air defense system has begun to arrive in Slovakia from NATO partner nations, and the deployment will continue in the following days, according to Slovakia’s defense minister on Sunday.

The system will be operated by German and Dutch troops and will be first installed at the Sliac airfield in central Slovakia to assist enhance NATO’s eastern flank defense.

The alliance has increased its defenses in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Patriot system will be deployed as part of a new NATO battlegroup based in Slovakia, which borders Ukraine.

“I am happy to confirm that the first units in charge of deploying the Patriot air defence system are gradually arriving to Slovakia,” Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Facebook.

According to Nad, the Patriot system will be a supplement to, not a replacement for, Slovakia’s Soviet-era S-300 system.

“Temporarily, the system will be deployed at the Sliac air force base, further deployment areas are being consulted … so that the security umbrella covers the largest possible part of Slovak territory,” Nad said.

Last week, the minister stated that Slovakia is prepared to hand over the S-300 to Ukraine if and when it receives a suitable replacement.

He reaffirmed on Sunday that Slovakia was searching for its own S-300 successor owing to the aircraft’s age, capabilities, and reliance on Russia.

Russia has cautioned against sending sophisticated air defense systems to Ukraine and has stated that it may attack Western military supply.