Germany Announces Nearly €1 Billion 'Winter' Military Aid Package for Ukraine
Ahead of a meeting of the Contact Group on Defence of Ukraine, the German Ministry of Defence has announced a 'winter' military aid package for Kyiv, totalling approximately €1 billion.
The new German aid package will include additional air defence assets, specifically additional Patriot air defence systems (equipped with target-tracking radar) and IRIS-T. This air defence package alone costs roughly €1 billion.
Germany has fulfilled its commitment to Ukraine by supplying additional IRIS-T systems over the past few months. Ukraine will receive IRIS-T SLM with guided medium-range missiles in October and the second IRIS-T SLS with short-range guided missiles.
Furthermore, in the coming weeks, Ukraine will receive ten more Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, three more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, 15 armoured transport vehicles, and nearly 20 armoured medical vehicles.
A significant support package for the Ukrainian special forces is also in place, including transport, weaponry, and personal equipment, totalling over €20 million. This will enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian special forces, emphasized Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.
A continuous supply of ammunition, particularly 155mm calibre ammunition, is also assured.
"This new 'winter' package further strengthens the operational readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the coming months," commented German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
All of this equipment is being transferred directly from the Bundeswehr's stockpiles. In addition to the fire control centre and radar device, the package includes eight other launch systems and over 60 guided missiles. Training for Ukrainian military personnel using the German system is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
By the end of 2023, it is anticipated that a total of 10,000 Ukrainian military personnel will undergo training in Germany.
Germany is also assisting European countries that have provided Ukraine with their main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles of Soviet origin, helping close the resulting logistical gaps. This procedure is known as 'circle exchange.' It includes training on the operation of new equipment, ammunition, and spare parts. Agreements for such exchanges exist with countries like Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.