Germany ready to send two Patriots to Ukraine if replacements arrive fast
Photo: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (Getty Images)
Germany is prepared to transfer two Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. However, this will be done only under the condition that they are replaced quickly, stated German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, according to Der Standard.
"We can send two of our systems, but only if we have reliable guarantees that they will be replaced within, say, six to eight months," Pistorius said.
According to him, this condition is tied to maintaining the Bundeswehr’s operational and training capacity.
"We would lose our training capability if we cannot run exercises for a year, a year and a half, or even two years due to the lack of systems," the German minister emphasized.
He noted that discussions are currently ongoing regarding solutions for transferring Patriot systems to Ukraine.
"We’re now looking for ways to identify Patriot systems within Europe. It’s not hopeless, but the key condition is that countries owning them must be willing to hand them over now, so that others can pay for them and they can be sent to Ukraine," Pistorius added.
Patriots for Ukraine
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced the transfer of additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, though the payment would come from NATO allies.
In total, Trump promised to deliver 17 Patriot systems to Ukraine.
On Monday, July 21, the 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group took place. During the session, coalition members pledged to help Kyiv strengthen its air defense with Patriot systems.
Specifically, Germany and the US agreed to transfer five Patriot systems to Ukraine.
Although Trump said the systems would be delivered to Ukraine fairly quickly, it could take months to implement the deal.
