Pistorius promised Ukraine air defense systems, tanks, special equipment and ammunition
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced his country's plans to supply Ukraine with weapons in 2024 during the 18th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense (Ramstein format).
Their list is available on the Ministry's website, Ukrinform reports.
The list includes IRIS-T SLM Infra Red Imaging System Tail Surface Launched Medium Range air defense systems; Gepard anti-aircraft tanks; more than 80 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks; additional artillery systems with ammunition in the amount of more than 230,000; armored personnel carriers, engineering tanks and bridge-building tanks; 450 protected vehicles, as well as demining systems, drones, radar systems, reconnaissance systems, etc.
Also this year, the Bundeswehr plans to train another 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers at its training grounds.
A new feature will be the delivery of 6 Sea King Mk41 multi-purpose helicopters with spare parts starting in the second quarter of 2024 and training of pilots by then.
Pistorius, who said he was "shocked by the severity of Russia's air strikes on Ukraine since the beginning of the year," called air defense the number one priority.
He informed that since the beginning of the war, Germany has supplied Ukraine with air defense systems worth more than EUR 2.2 billion. In addition, the federal government, together with France, has taken responsibility for creating a new coalition of capabilities in this area. In this context, the Minister recalled the coordination conference in Berlin last December, jointly initiated by Germany and France, with the participation of more than 20 partners and allies, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain.
In addition to its leadership role in air defense, Germany also participates in other capability coalitions. These include artillery, maritime security, mine action, information technology, and armored combat vehicles. It is also planning to participate in a coalition for drones.
The Minister reminded that in December Germany provided another Patriot Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target system with 56 guided missiles.
Pistorius also noted that in recent weeks, transports from Germany have been running to Ukraine almost daily through the logistics hub in Poland.
In total, since the beginning of the full-scale war, military supplies from Germany have amounted to about EUR 6 billion, the politician informed. Preliminary commitments amount to about five billion euros until 2028. In 2024, funds for further military support for Ukraine will almost double to about EUR 7.5 billion.