Germany to provide Ukraine with additional PAC-2, IRIS-T and AIM-9 missiles, Pistorius says
Photo: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine to receive additional Patriot missiles
According to Pistorius, partners must take the right steps to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience.
"That is why I have decided, together with the NATO summit, to deliver urgently needed PAC-2 interceptor missiles from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine," he said.
Pistorius also called on all UDCG members to check their own stocks and make similar deliveries.
"I realize that it is not easy to find a balance between your own security needs and the urgently needed support for Ukraine. But please, if you are in doubt, decide in Ukraine's favor," he said.
According to the minister, from NATO’s perspective, further significant deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles by Ukraine’s allies are acceptable.
Other missiles
Pistorius promised that, in addition to PAC-2 interceptor missiles, Germany would further increase its ongoing deliveries of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks to ensure that more of these missiles are available to Ukraine.
"These missiles are being delivered now, and they will strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses before winter," he said.
Moreover, Germany continues its regular deliveries of IRIS-T air defense systems, including guided missiles produced by the defense industry.
"The IRIS-T medium-range air defense system is being used in Ukraine with great success. That is why I am pleased that Ukraine will order several thousand additional guided missiles. This will be financed through the EU defense loan for Ukraine," he said.
According to Pistorius, this major procurement means that missile production volumes can be increased by adding another production line.
"This procurement is a very good example of how the Ukraine support loan can be used to expand the capacity of the European defense industry and improve the conditions for strengthening our own defense capabilities," he concluded.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the EU had approved funding for the purchase of Patriot missiles for Ukraine. The purchases will be made under a €90 billion loan program aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of winter.
In addition, countries possessing Patriot air defense systems are considering several options for their rapid delivery to Ukraine ahead of winter. At the same time, France, in coordination with Italy, is preparing to transfer a SAMP/T system and Aster missiles.
