Germany announces additional IRIS-T air defense systems and Patriot missiles for Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
The German Defense Minister announced a new aid package for Ukraine, which will include four IRIS-T systems and 30 Patriot missiles. The possibility of manufacturing missiles under license in Ukraine is also being discussed.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is expected to remain in his post under the new coalition government in Germany, announced new aid for Ukraine after arriving at NATO headquarters in Brussels, writes UNN.
Details
"Initially, Germany provided Ukraine with aid worth about 4 billion euros for 2025. In addition, the Bundestag recently cleared the way for another 3 billion this year and another eight initially until 2029. So, initially, a total of more than 11 billion euros additionally. This is a considerable amount," Pistorius said.
Germany will provide four more IRIS-T air defense systems with missiles and another 30 missiles for Patriot systems, he said.
"Today I can say more precisely. This is, first of all, the increasingly important area of air defense. First of all, we are talking about four additional IRST systems plus 300 guided missiles. (...) We were able to obtain 30 additional Patriot guided missiles for Patriot systems from our own stocks," Pistorius said.
As the German representation to NATO pointed out, "Germany is providing more than 11 billion euros of further military support until 2029, mainly for air defense, guided missiles and ammunition."
As reported, in 2025, German military support for Ukraine will include:
- 4 IRIS-T air defense systems with 300 guided missiles;
- 300 reconnaissance drones;
- 120 MANPADS;
- 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles;
- 15 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks;
- 14 artillery systems;
- 100 ground surveillance radars;
- 30 Patriot guided missiles.
Additionally, as indicated, 100,000 shells, which in total will be about 500,000 shells.
Also, as The Guardian points out, Pistorius noted that leaders will "discuss" Ukraine's request to produce missiles under license on the ground.
Pistorius, as The Guardian points out, was also asked about plans to develop security forces that could include European troops in Ukraine, but he said he would "prefer not to discuss such issues in global markets" and remain "smart and ambitious."
"We will find a way to go where we need to go, but until then we must discuss it internally, not publicly," Pistorius said.