Germany to consider additional air defense systems for Ukraine after Patriot transfer from Washington
After the United States pledged to supply Ukraine with the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, the German government is studying the possibility of providing more support to the Ukrainian military to protect against Russian air attacks.
This was informed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock, quoted by RND.
Journalists note that since the United States has promised to give Ukraine Patriot, the German government may follow suit.
– “Against the background of the Patriot delivery, we will also look again at what else we can supply, because we know that these air defense systems save lives,” Burbock said, commenting on Washington’s decision.
As you know, Ukraine has long called on the United States to provide Patriot air defense systems to protect the sky from Russian missile attacks. These air defense systems are effective for intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles.
On December 21, during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States, Washington announced another $1.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine. For the first time, it included a Patriot battery.
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) also have these systems in service. Berlin recently assured Poland that three Patriot systems will be deployed on its territory.
Earlier, Warsaw offered Berlin to deploy these Patriot systems in western Ukraine, but Germany did not agree to this. As explained in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, Germany has no Patriot missile systems that could be transferred to Ukraine. And the existing air defense systems belong to the NATO collective defense system.
At the same time, Germany has already supplied our country with other types of air defense systems, in particular the Iris-T system, which can protect an entire city from missile attacks. In addition, Ukraine has received 30 Gepard anti-aircraft systems.
It is currently planned to supply three more Iris-T systems and seven Gepard systems.
Source: RND
