Ukraine announced a shortage of Patriot missiles
Germany will urgently deliver additional PAC-2 missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Britain will allocate 100 million pounds sterling for the purchase of missile interceptors. Berlin and London have also called on other allies to strengthen Ukraine's air defense ahead of winter.
Ukraine reported a shortage of Patriot missiles
At the 36th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the "Ramstein" format, Germany and the United Kingdom announced new military aid packages for Kyiv. Representatives from nearly 50 countries participated in the meeting, which was held via videoconference on September 8.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Berlin will immediately send PAC-2 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine from the Bundeswehr's warehouses.
Pistorius also called on other countries in the Contact Group to review their military stockpiles and deliver similar missiles to Ukraine.
According to him, European countries must, on one hand, secure their own safety needs, and on the other hand, provide urgent assistance to Ukraine. Acknowledging that balancing these two tasks is not easy, the German Defense Minister urged that in cases of doubt, decisions should be made in favor of Ukraine.
Pistorius called strengthening Ukraine's air defense the most urgent current need. In his view, Russian air attacks could intensify as winter approaches. Therefore, it was emphasized that Ukraine is in a race against time to prepare for winter.
In addition to the PAC-2 missiles, Germany will also increase the volume of AIM-9 "air-to-air" missiles delivered from Bundeswehr stockpiles. Berlin will also continue to deliver IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles for them.
Ukraine plans to order several thousand more guided IRIS-T missiles. These purchases are intended to be financed through the European Union loan allocated to assist Ukraine.
Furthermore, Germany will continue to deliver drones to Ukraine and will finance the purchase of several tens of thousands of long-range artillery shells. These munitions are planned to be acquired through the British-led artillery and air defense consortium.
British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting announced at the meeting that £100 million would be allocated for the rapid delivery of missile interceptors under the PURL program.
London also continues to fulfill its commitment to deliver 120,000 drones to Ukraine during this year. According to the British side, more than 25,000 of them have already been handed over to Ukraine, and the remaining drones are to be delivered before the start of winter.