US, Germany agree to deliver 5 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine
Editor's note: The story was updated with comments by Norwegian and Dutch officials.
The U.S. and Germany have agreed to deliver five Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on July 21, according to European Pravda.
The announcement comes as Russia escalates its long-range strike campaign on Ukraine, including with ballistic missiles that only the advanced Patriot can shoot down.
Overnight on July 21, Russian forces launched a new mass air attack against Ukraine — including 426 Shahed-type drones and various missiles, including Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles as well as Kalibrs and Kh-101 cruise missiles.
Speaking during the 29th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting (better known as the Ramstein group after the U.S. base in Germany), Pistorius said he reached the agreement with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a recent trip to Washington.
Coordination with partners on the systems' delivery will continue in the coming days, Pistorius added.
Norway will take part in financing the deliveries, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said during his official visit to Berlin. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously announced that Oslo offered to purchase one Patriot system for Ukraine.
Separately, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said at the Ramstein summit that his country is in talks with the U.S. and other allies on supplying additional weapons, including Patriots, to Ukraine.
"Russia's goal is simple: to bring the steadfast Ukrainians to their knees. We must not let this happen. That is why we want to make a substantial contribution to additional air defense for Ukraine," Brekelmans said in a statement. The exact details of the Dutch contribution will be announced shortly, he added.
The U.S.-built Patriot systems are a vital part of Ukraine's layered air defense, capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles and providing protection against large-scale strikes on cities.
The new commitment follows U.S. President Donald Trump's July 14 announcement of a NATO- and EU-backed initiative under which alliance members will purchase U.S.-made weapons systems for Ukraine.
Trump claimed on July 16 that Patriot shipments to Ukraine were already underway. Initially, the German defense ministry denied knowledge of any such transfers.
On July 14, a German government spokesperson said that talks were ongoing among allies to deliver more than three Patriot systems to Ukraine.
Washington has already sent three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, with Germany providing three more. An additional battery has come from a European coalition, though not all of the systems are currently operational due to routine maintenance rotations.
