US President Donald Trump has asked Germany to provide Kiev with Patriot air defense systems from its own stock, the newspaper „Bild“ reported, citing government sources.
It was initially assumed that Ukraine would receive two Patriot systems from the Americans, and Germany would finance the replenishment of the American stock. Now it has become clear that Germany should transfer its own Patriots to Kiev, while the Bundeswehr is already experiencing a shortage of them. According to the newspaper, Trump does not intend to share the systems that the US army has. Thus, Germany will not only have to transfer its anti-aircraft missile systems, but also purchase them from the United States to replenish its own stocks.
According to sources in “Bild“, an option is being discussed in which Switzerland, which is in line to receive the Patriot system, will cede it to Ukraine, and Germany will pay the costs. However, the system is still being finalized and will arrive only in 6-8 months. The German side is also studying the possibility of transferring one Patriot system from its own stocks, but in this case it will have to order it from the Americans for the Bundeswehr, and this will take years.
The German army is already facing a shortage of air defense systems, especially Patriot. Three systems have been transferred to Kiev, two are deployed in Poland to protect the airport through which ammunition is transported to Ukraine. Three other systems are currently being upgraded and cannot yet be used, one is needed for training the military. There are three Patriot systems ready for use, and if one of them is transferred to Kiev, only two will remain.
On July 14, Trump announced that Washington had decided to continue transferring weapons and military equipment to Ukraine if Europe pays for such supplies. NATO will coordinate this process. As the US president stated, the supplies will include 17 Patriot systems.