Germany Strengthens Ukrainian Air Defense
The Bundestag has announced the transfer of a new military assistance package to Ukraine, which includes three additional Gepard anti-aircraft installations to protect Ukrainian skies from Russian attacks during the winter season.
This information is reported on the official website of the German government.
In addition to reinforcing anti-air defense, the assistance will include equipment and machinery, including the Beaver bridge-layer, 20 RQ-35 HEIDRUN drones, 20 VECTOR drones, 13 armored vehicles for border guards, and three MAN HX8 trucks. Germany will also supply Ukraine with 3,872 illumination and smoke projectiles for 155mm artillery systems.
It is emphasized in the announcement that some types of weapons are coming directly from the inventory of the German Armed Forces and were financed from the funds of the Federal Government to build security potential.
This year, the security potential development initiative has been funded with 5.4 billion euros. It is expected that this amount will increase to 10.5 billion euros next year. It is noted that the funds will be directed to military aid to Ukraine and to replenish the stocks of the Federal Armed Forces for deliveries to Ukraine and contributions to the European Peace Fund (EPF).
In his traditional evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for "agreements that are being implemented clearly" and noted the joint efforts of Ukraine and Germany to ensure that "patriots" in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers can do more this winter.
Earlier this month, during an extraordinary meeting of defense ministers from more than 50 countries in the Ramstein format, Berlin announced its intention to provide Ukraine with a "winter package" of aid worth one billion euros.
"Germany will continue to support Ukraine with what it needs most urgently - air defense means, ammunition, and tanks. With this new 'winter package,' we further increase the operational readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the coming months," said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
The military assistance package includes additional Patriot anti-air defense systems with a specialized radar for target interception, as well as 60 guided missiles. At the same time, Germany provides Ukraine with new IRIS-T installations of two types - IRIS-T SLM medium-range and IRIS-T SLS short-range.
It is worth noting that on the eve of October 20, a summit of the European Union - USA was held in Washington, during which the participants emphasized their intentions regarding the "long-term political, financial, humanitarian, and military support for Ukraine and its people" with the aim of overcoming Russian armed aggression. In the final communiqué, partner countries affirmed their commitment to "broad international support for the key principles and goals of the Formula for Peace in Ukraine."