German Defense Minister Announces Another €1.3bn Military Aid for Ukraine

Germany promised Ukraine the next military aid package worth 1.3bn euros. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced in Kyiv it at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. The package includes, among other things, 4 additional IRIS-T-SLM air defense systems, as well as 20,000 pieces of 155-mm artillery ammunition and anti-tank weapons. “This is the fifth such package since last winter. And I am sure it will help you in your fight against Russian aggression,” the minister said. This is the third tranche of IRIS air defense systems that Germany has promised to supply to Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Three systems from the first tranche have already been delivered, while the fourth one is due to arrive this winter. The second tranche of four systems is scheduled for 2024 and the third for 2025. Asked about the transfer of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, Pistorius said, “There is no new information on Taurus”. The German defense minister arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday morning on an unannounced visit. Before that, Pistorius confirmed media reports that Germany would double its military aid to Kyiv for 2024 to 8 bln euros.