The German government has formed a new military aid package to support Ukraine worth around 2.7 billion euros over the coming weeks and months.
It would be the largest batch since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Spiegel says.
Ukraine will receive another 20 Marder armored personnel carriers and 30 Leopard 1 tanks. The delivery of 18 wheeled howitzers, which has already been announced for the end of 2022, is expected.
The federal government plans to transfer:
- four IRIS-T-SLM air defense systems;
- 12 IRIS-T-SLS launchers;
- hundreds of guided missiles for the system.
Berlin also wants to assist Ukraine in the reconnaissance of enemy positions. Up to 200 reconnaissance drones are planned to be delivered. Germany will also send 100 protected combat vehicles, which will primarily be used to transport troops to the front, and more than 100 logistical support vehicles.
With the new arms shipment, the federal government is focusing on two fronts. Firstly, the ground forces of Ukraine should be strengthened with the help of armored personnel carriers and main battle tanks. Secondly, Germany plans to modernize Ukraine’s air defense significantly.
This package will be announced with the presentation of the Charlemagne Prize to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday in Aachen as a clear symbol of German solidarity with Ukraine. Some state Zelensky himself will come to Germany for the award ceremony.
