Germany sends heavy weapons to Ukraine in 'winter aid package'

The “winter aid package” includes an additional Patriot air defense system, as agreed between Prime Minister Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Photo: Reuters

The German Defense Ministry said Berlin will also send two more IRIS-T air defense missile systems this month to boost its short- and medium-range protection capabilities.

The IRIS-T systems are very popular with the Ukrainian military, which often uses them against Russian drones and missiles.

In the coming weeks, Ukraine will also receive 10 more modern Leopard tanks and three additional Gepard air defense batteries, along with ammunition and vehicles.

“With this new 'winter aid package' we will further enhance the readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces in the coming months,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.

President Zelenskyy said he was grateful to Germany for the latest aid package. “This is exactly the support we need and the support we discussed with Prime Minister Olaf Scholz in Granada,” he said.

The German Defense Ministry did not say when the new Patriot systems promised by the United States would be delivered. However, training Ukrainian soldiers on how to use the advanced surface-to-air missile system “will begin in the coming weeks.”

The German Defense Ministry said the Patriot system will be taken from the country's military reserves.

The German government will also spend around 20 million euros on a support package for Ukrainian special forces, “including vehicles, weapons and individual equipment,” the statement added. Germany is currently the second-largest military aid provider to Kiev after the United States.

Hoang Nam (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/duc-gui-nhieu-vu-khi-hang-nang-cho-ukraine-trong-goi-vien-tro-mua-dong-post268119.html