"We are ready to buy "Patriot" air defense systems from the US and provide them to Ukraine," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that he was discussing with the US government and President Donald Trump the purchase of "Patriot" air defense systems to provide to Ukraine.
In a telephone conversation with Trump, the Chancellor asked him to deliver the systems. "The Americans also need them. But they have a lot," said Merz in connection with the systems that are most important for missile defense. The issue will be considered by the military ministers of both countries, but there is no final decision yet, the Chancellor stressed in Rome, where an international conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine is being held.
Germany has already provided Ukraine with serious assistance in the field of air defense with various types of systems. Now the government is trying to deliver more, the "Reuters" agency notes.
The "Patriot" systems are the most modern in the world
The DPA agency writes that the Chancellor did not say how many "Patriot" systems Germany wants to buy. However, it is likely that it will initially be two. The German agency recalls that Ukraine is currently being subjected to particularly intense air strikes by Russia, and the "Patriot" are capable of hitting targets at a distance of 100 km and up to 30 km in altitude.
These air defense systems are considered the most advanced in the world. They are used to deal with enemy aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles. The German agency also writes that one system can be loaded with up to 16 defensive missiles, which are estimated to cost about four million dollars each.