Germany will provide more support in the defensive fight against Russian aggression More weapons and equipment worth one billion euros. With this spring package, the total amount of German military aid since the beginning of the war has increased to 3.3 billion euros, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday on the sidelines of the Contact Group meeting. at the US Air Force Base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate.
The new package includes an additional unit of the Patriot anti-aircraft system, seven more Cheetah anti-aircraft tanks and another unit of the Iris-T SLM air defense system, with additional guided missiles. “We’re talking about something a little more than that billion euros”, encrypted Pistorius, who insisted that “the number one priority at the moment is still set on air defense” and did not give in to requests to launch German-made Leopard tanks.
Western defense ministers and military leaders meeting at the US air base Ramstein did not agree to the delivery of German-made main battle tanks to Ukraine. «There was no unanimous opinionWhen deploying Leopard 2, “all the pros and cons have to be carefully weighed,” Pistorius explained. “It is not clear when the decision will be made and how it will end.”
At the same time, Pistorius made it clear that Germany was preparing to be able to deliver those tanks as quickly as possible in the event of a subsequent decision in favor of delivery, and to that end had issued an inspection warrant for its first tanks. day in charge. The goal is to determine exactly what the stock of this type of tank is in the Bundeswehr and in the industry. In particular, the focus is on availability and quantities, as well as compatibility with tanks and weapons that other countries may supply to Ukraine. But he stressed that it is a step “in preparation for the day that may come.”
pressure from Poland
When asked, Pistorius maintained that he was not aware of any such inventory orders previously placed by his predecessor, former minister Christine Lambrecht, who had resigned just days earlier. Accordingly, the federal government He has not yet received a detailed description of their delivery options, despite weeks of intense debate about it.
The new aid package for Ukraine includes an additional unit of the Patriot anti-aircraft system, seven more Cheetah anti-aircraft tanks and another unit of the Iris-T SLM air defense system.
Prior to this meeting, Poland had announced that it would ship available Panthers to Kyiv with or without the permit that the German government must issue under the terms of the sales contract. The deputy foreign minister would have insisted to Rammstein that his country was ready to take “unconventional measures, Even if someone offendedIn what appeared to be a clear indication of Berlin’s refusal to give the green light to these shipments. But Pistorius did not admit this and only replied that “Poland did not make any declaration in this regard during the meeting.”
