Germany announces $1.1B military aid package for Ukraine

BERLIN

Germany will provide Ukraine with a new €1 billion ($1.1 billion) military aid package, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Tuesday.

“With this new ‘winter package,’ we are further increasing the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces,” he said in a statement.

Pistorius said the new package will include Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems, three more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, and 10 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks.

The announcement came ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Wednesday where the allies are expected to discuss military support for Ukraine, among other security issues.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last week that Germany will particularly focus on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, as they are expecting Russia to intensify its attacks on the energy infrastructure during the winter months.

Since the war began in February 2022, Germany has provided €22 billion ($24 billion) in financial support to Ukraine, including €12 billion ($13 billion) in military aid.

The military assistance included advanced weapons and equipment, air defense systems, reconnaissance drones, battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers.