Germany outlines drone and Patriot plan for Ukraine
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in London - a gathering of Kiev's Western allies - Pistorius said that Germany was financing the procurement of long-range drones, being manufactured in Ukraine itself.
"They will destroy Russian aircraft, drones and missiles on the ground before they can pose a threat to Ukraine, its cities or infrastructure," he said.
"The first of the systems financed by Germany will be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces in the coming days and can be deployed immediately."
When it comes to the Patriot air defence systems, Pistorius said that Ukraine needed five additional systems to defend itself against Russian airstrikes.
Germany has promised to supply Ukraine with two Patriot missile systems, purchased from the United States.
Germany's original plan was to purchase two, each costing around €1 billion ($1.16 billion), from the US and deliver them directly to Ukraine.
However, as the systems are not yet available, Germany will hand over two of its nine remaining Patriot systems to Ukraine and later receive replacements from the US.
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