Germany strengthens Ukraine's air defenses with Patriots and IRIS-T delivery
Photo: Boris Pistorius (Vitali Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Germany has transferred two Patriot air defense systems and the ninth Iris-T air defense complex to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says.
"Since our last meeting, we have significantly strengthened Ukraine's air defense, in particular through the delivery of two Patriot systems promised in August, which was made possible thanks to our Norwegian partners, as well as the delivery of the ninth Iris-T system," Pistorius says.
According to him, next year Germany will also transfer a significant number of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles from German arsenals to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense.
In addition, he said, Berlin has allocated an additional $200 million to Kyiv for the purchase of critical weapons and ammunition from US arsenals through NATO's PURL mechanism.
Background
During the Ramstein meeting, the United Kingdom announced that it would allocate a large package of military aid to Ukraine in the field of air defense, amounting to almost €685 million.
According to British Defense Minister John Healey, Kyiv will receive air defense systems, missiles, and automated turrets for shooting down drones with this money.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will participate in a Ramstein meeting today, December 16.
On November 14, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that a new Ramstein meeting was scheduled for December 3. The reason for the postponement is not yet known.
