Germany to send Patriot PAC-2 interceptors to Ukraine from military stocks
Germany will provide Ukraine with Patriot PAC-2 interceptor missiles from Bundeswehr stocks ahead of winter, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Sept. 8.
Pistorius announced the decision during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, Suspilne reported.
"I have decided, in parallel with the NATO summit, to provide Ukraine with urgently needed PAC-2 interceptor missiles from Bundeswehr stocks," Pistorius said.
He urged other members of the group to examine their own inventories and make similar deliveries.
"I realize that it is not easy to strike a balance between your own security needs and the urgently needed support for Ukraine," Pistorius said. "But please, if you are hesitating, decide in favor of Ukraine."
Germany will also step up deliveries of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks and continue supplying IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles, according to Pistorius.
Ukraine also plans to order several thousand additional IRIS-T guided missiles using funds from the European Union's €90 billion loan.
The European Commission has approved Ukraine's request to use the loan to purchase Patriot interceptors. Kyiv had requested more than €2 billion for the missiles.
The announcement comes as Ukraine seeks to strengthen its air defenses ahead of winter amid continued Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.