Ukraine will receive a batch of Patriot anti-aircraft missiles from Europe in the coming weeks. Germany arranged the delivery.
Pistorius’ aid package
Der Spiegel reported on March 10 that Ukraine will receive a package of anti-aircraft missiles. According to the outlet, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius managed to secure about 30 modern PAC-3 missiles from several European partners.
He agreed on the deal under the following conditions: Germany will give Ukraine five missiles from the stocks of its armed forces if other countries agree to provide another thirty.
Pistorius proposed the initiative ahead of the Munich Security Conference. The Netherlands and several other states agreed to it. For security reasons, the exact size of the new batch is not disclosed. The exact delivery timeline is also unknown. Together with these missiles, Ukraine will receive about 35 interceptor missiles.
Impact of the war in the Middle East
The outlet writes that at present the American system is considered almost the only protection against Russian ballistic missiles. At the same time, Ukrainian forces mostly fight drones using other systems. However, Ukraine critically needs Patriot systems supplied by Western partners. These systems help protect vital electrical substations and the capital.
The war in the Middle East has significantly worsened the situation. After U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Iran repeatedly attacked American bases in the region. It also launched drones and missiles at neighboring countries. According to the report, several hundred Patriot interceptor missiles have already been used. PAC-3 is the most modernized version. The cost of a single launch can reach up to four million euros.
Support will continue
According to German officers, Ukraine uses about 60 Patriot missiles per month. Therefore, the package organized by Pistorius will likely last about two weeks.
However, Germany’s Ministry of Defense stressed that it will continue supporting Ukraine. The German government has repeatedly said that the defense of a partner country remains one of Berlin’s top priorities. Germany will not ignore the Russia-Ukraine war even amid military actions in the Middle East.
A spokesperson for Germany’s Defense Ministry emphasized that the assistance is not limited to Patriot missiles. In addition to the current package, Germany will deliver “additional air defense equipment, such as MANPADS, AIM-9 and IRIS-T guided missiles, as well as spare parts kits for Patriot and IRIS-T.” Germany will also continue supporting the development of Ukraine’s domestically produced air defense systems.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that in three days Middle Eastern countries used more Patriot missiles than Ukraine received during the entire full-scale war with Russia.
