Ukraine can expect much-needed Patriot anti-aircraft missiles from Europe in the coming weeks, notes "Spiegel", indicating that, according to information available to the magazine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has managed to secure around 30 of the latest PAC-3 missiles from several European partners, BTA reported.
Approximately 35 of the interceptor missiles will now be delivered to Ukraine.
The German Defense Ministry confirmed the planned delivery of the new package in response to a query from "Spiegel". According to the ministry, it has managed to convince its European partners to deliver additional PAC-3 missiles, "which is close to the planned target". For security reasons, the spokesman declined to specify the exact size of the new package or when it is planned to be delivered to Ukraine.
At a meeting of Ukraine supporters before the Munich Security Conference, Pistorius made a highly unusual proposal, recalls "Spiegel". He suggested to partner countries that Germany would provide Ukraine with five PAC-3 missiles from its Bundeswehr stockpile if other countries delivered a total of 30 additional missiles. At that time, several countries, including the Netherlands, made non-binding commitments to deliver the missiles.
Pistorius' initiative illustrates how desperately Ukraine needs Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, points out "Spiegel". Currently, the American anti-aircraft system is considered more or less the only defense against Russian ballistic missiles, while the Ukrainians are now largely fighting swarms of drones with other systems. However, Kiev remains dependent on Western-supplied Patriot systems, particularly for the protection of vital electrical substations and the capital.