Germany has organised the transfer of around 35 Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Germany has agreed to supply Ukraine with approximately 35 PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defence systems. This was reported on 10 March by the German publication Der Spiegel, citing its own sources.
These missiles are used to intercept ballistic missiles. According to the publication, they are critical for protecting Ukraine from Russian ballistic attacks.
As Der Spiegel notes, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius proposed a supply scheme under which Germany would transfer five missiles from Bundeswehr warehouses if other countries together provided another 30.
The initiative was proposed ahead of the Munich Security Conference. The Netherlands and several other countries responded to it.
The German Defence Ministry confirmed to Der Spiegel that the delivery is being prepared. At the same time, the ministry did not specify the exact number of missiles or the timing of the transfer for security reasons.
According to German officers, Ukraine uses an average of about 60 Patriot missiles per month. If about 35 missiles are transferred, this amount will be enough for about two weeks.
The German Ministry of Defence also stated that this does not only concern Patriot missiles. According to a spokesperson for the ministry, Germany plans to transfer additional air defence equipment to Ukraine.
These include portable anti-aircraft missile systems, AIM-9 and IRIS-T guided missiles, as well as spare parts kits for Patriot and IRIS-T systems.
