Germany secures Patriot missiles for Ukraine, yet supply could run out fast
Photo: Patriot air defense systems (Getty Images)
Germany has collected PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems for Ukraine from its allies, and they are already on their way. However, they will not fundamentally change the situation, as they will only last for a maximum of half a month, according to Spiegel.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has secured the purchase of about 30 state-of-the-art PAC-3 guided missiles from several European countries. The German Armed Forces will provide several more such munitions, so Kyiv will receive a total of 35 such interceptor missiles.
The German Ministry of Defense has confirmed the information about the delivery. It is noted that Ukraine can expect it in the coming weeks.
Missiles will only last for half a month
At the same time, Spiegel emphasizes that, according to estimates by German officers, Ukraine uses an average of 60 Patriot missiles per month. Thus, this aid package will only last for half a month.
At the same time, a representative of the German Ministry of Defense said that this is not only about the urgently needed missiles for the Patriot systems.
"In addition to the current package, Germany will supply Ukraine with further anti-aircraft weapons, such as MANPADS, AIM-9 and IRIS-T guided missiles, as well as spare parts kits for Patriot and IRIS-T," he says.
Ukrainian air defense
In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that due to a critical shortage of Pac-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, Ukrainian systems remained empty last month, unable to repel Russian ballistic strikes.
In addition, the President of Ukraine noted that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had made a significant contribution to strengthening the protection of Ukrainian cities from Russian drone attacks. At the same time, Zelenskyy acknowledged that this level of defense is currently insufficient, especially in key and most vulnerable areas.
Zelenskyy also announced that personnel decisions are planned in the Ukrainian Air Force units responsible for countering these drones. They are intended to significantly strengthen the effectiveness of small air defense systems in the most problematic areas.
