1. Concept - 3 Elements
· Multifunctional Phased Array Radar. The role of the radar is: Surveillance, Detection (up to 70 miles), Target identification, Target tracking and Missile guidance.
· Engagement Control Set (ECS), from which the Tactical Control Officer with his crew commands and controls the battery and activates interception upon authorisation from higher command levels. The ECS contains the radar displays as well as the computing and communication facilities.
· Launching System. Each system is made up of five reloadable launching sets, each containing four ready-to-shoot canned high performance missiles. A combination of ready-to fire, guided missiles can be used by each launcher.

2. System Characteristics
· The system is able to simultaneously monitor, detect, identify, track and intercept multiple targets.
· High resistance against electronic countermeasures.
· High precision from the so-called ‘track-via-missile’ guidance principle.
· High mobility, the system is mounted on wheels enabling flexible deployment.

3. Missile Characteristics
Velocity : > Mach 3
Range : > 60 km
Altitude : > 22 km
Weight : +/- 1.750 kg
Length : 5.31 meter
Width : 0.41 meter
Warhead : high explosive

4. System upgrades
The PATRIOT systems currently deployed have been updated since their introduction into the Royal Netherlands Airforce. These updates consist of improvements on the radar and guidance system and the software and the capabilities of the missiles. The units deployed to Diyarbakir and Batman are equipped with PATRIOT Advanced Capability version 2 (PAC-2) software and missiles. These updates provide an improved anti-TBM capability. Germany has provided the Netherlands PATRIOT batteries with additional Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM), which further enhances the systems capabilities against TBMs.

5. Background
The PATRIOT systems are manned by Royal Netherlands Air Force personnel from the Netherlands Guided Missile Group stationed at De Peel airbase, the Netherlands. The detachment in Turkey consists of approximately 370 operators, technicians and support personnel. The units normally operate within the framework of the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS). Based on the interoperability of the PATRIOT system and its crews as well as the standardised design of NATINADS, the PATRIOT units can be re-deployed swiftly and easily link into NATINADS covering specific geographical areas as required.

6. Previous deployments
The Netherlands Patriot units deployed also to Diyarbakir as part of NATO’s support to Turkey during the Gulf War of 1991.