Germany says it will supply additional Patriot interceptors to Ukraine
German officials announced plans to provide more Patriot missiles and other air-defence weapons to Ukraine as the country seeks to bolster its defenses before winter.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany is prepared to deliver extra Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine, adding that the move is intended to strengthen the country's air-defence capabilities ahead of the winter season. Pistorius also announced an increase in the supply of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks and pledged additional IRIS-T air-defence systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision, stating that reducing the aggressor’s ability to inflict casualties brings the prospect of peace nearer. He posted the comment on social media without specifying a delivery timeline.
Ukraine’s new defence minister, Yevheniy Khmara, urged partner nations to secure funding for roughly 1,000 Patriot missiles through an EU loan and other contracts, emphasizing the urgency of obtaining missiles from existing stockpiles because new production will take years.
The announcement follows a recent Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv that killed five people and injured 25, highlighting the ongoing pressure on Ukraine’s air-defence systems, which have been strained by reduced supplies diverted to the Persian Gulf amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.