Germany announces €1bn spring military aid package for Ukraine
Date: 2023-01-20 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: MILITARY ASSISTANCE
This was stated by the new Minister of Defense of Germany, Boris Pistorius, following a meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine in Ramstein, Germany.
"We are talking in general about a spring package worth more than 1 billion euros," Pistorius informed, adding that the total value of the German military assistance provided would exceed 3.3 billion euros.
According to Pistorius, the emphasis in the near future will be on air defense.
“Priority No. 1 is air defense, air defense and again air defense. Especially given the ammunition,” said the head of the Bundeswehr.
Germany, according to him, will send the Patriot system, 7 more Gepard self-propelled guns for industrial stocks, subsequent Iris-T SLM systems and guided missiles to them to Ukraine. All this, including logistics and training of soldiers, he specified, adding that training on the BMP and Patriot will begin at the end of January.
Further assistance is in preparation, Pistorius said.
The head of the German Defense Ministry described the situation in Ukraine as "extremely dramatic" and noted that "we must proceed from the fact that this will last for another months." According to him, this requires partners to continue supporting Ukraine, and Germany will not stop such support. The minister recalled the preparations for sending 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and noted that this is a step synchronized with other partners.
Pistorius was present for the first time at the meeting in Ramstein, after all, he was appointed Minister of Defense only the day before. He admitted that he was amazed at the determination of countries to help Ukraine in its fight against the invaders.
