News Feed

Bloomberg: Germany weighs sending one more Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine

2 min read
Bloomberg: Germany weighs sending one more Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine
A Patriot anti-aircraft missile system launcher stands at the air base on June 17, 2023, in Bavaria, Germany. (Photo by Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The German government is considering sending a fourth Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on June 7, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

Kyiv has been calling on its partners to provide additional air defenses as Russia intensifies its strikes against Ukrainian population centers and infrastructure.

Germany has not yet made a final decision on the delivery of the fourth battery, according to Bloomberg's sources.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is also reportedly working to supply Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery. The Netherlands wanted to deliver another Patriot air defense system to Kyiv in the short term jointly with other countries, the Dutch Defense Ministry said in late May.

Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S., although Chancellor Olaf Scholz is still reluctant to supply some key capabilities, namely Taurus long-range missiles.

Germany has long opposed lifting the ban on Ukraine's use of Western weapons to target Russia, but reversed course in late May amid growing calls from Western leaders to lift the restrictions. The decision applies to the area around Kharkiv.

Berlin plans to up its military aid to Ukraine by another 3.8 billion euros ($4.13 billion) in 2024, Reuters reported on May 21, citing its unnamed source.

Germany procures more artillery shells for Ukraine
While the statement didn’t specify the number of shells procured, Reuters reported on June 4 that Berlin was looking to boost an existing order from the arms manufacturer Rheinmetall by 200,000.
Article image

News Feed
Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More