Germany Readies Military Order For 8,500 Armored Vehicles
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius briefed lawmakers on Monday about the government's priorities to turn Germany's Bundeswehr armed forces into Europe's strongest conventional army, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are confidential.
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CNN
4 hours ago
- CNN
Germany will provide 2 more Patriot defense systems to Ukraine, US will backfill stockpiles
Germany announced on Friday that it will provide two additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in the coming days, and several more in the coming months, after the Pentagon agreed to quickly replenish Berlin's stockpiles. The statement, issued by Germany's Ministry of Defense, also said Germany would be paying for the new Patriot systems provided by the US. 'The prerequisite was that the US manufacturer would deliver new Patriot systems as quickly as possible in return so that we could continue to meet our NATO obligations,' German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement. 'This commitment from the US side has been made.' Germany has provided three Patriots to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion, and had been reluctant to send more until they could ensure that the systems would be replenished by the US. But under a new plan unveiled by President Donald Trump last month, European nations agreed to transfer weapons to Ukraine while purchasing new ones from the US to backfill their stockpiles. The plan, which would see Europe shoulder more of the burden in supplying Ukraine, has been under discussion ever since Trump won last year's election and European officials quickly began deliberating on ways to sustain US weapons shipments to Ukraine under a leader who had vowed to pull back American support, CNN has reported. Col. Martin L. O'Donnell, a spokesperson for NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, told CNN in a statement that NATO is prepared to coordinate the weapons' 'urgent delivery' to Ukraine. 'NATO is delivering on the initiative President Trump and Secretary General Rutte announced last month to boost support for Ukraine by opening additional assets to Ukraine through investment by Allies in Europe and Canada. Germany has shown its leadership in this regard,' O'Donnell said. 'We look forward to additional voluntary contributions from other European nations. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, and others, stand ready to coordinate them for urgent delivery.' NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also said in a post on X on Friday that he 'welcomes' Germany's decision. 'This is great news and I welcome Germany's leadership! This will help ensure Ukraine is able to defend its skies, protect its people, and deter Russian aggression,' he wrote.
The Hill
8 hours ago
- The Hill
Ukraine to receive first Patriot missile systems under US-NATO deal
Ukraine is set to receive its first two Patriot air defense systems from Germany 'in the coming days' as part of the deal the U.S. government struck with NATO last month. Germany said Friday it will back Ukraine with two U.S.-made Patriot launchers and fork over additional Patriot system components in the next 'two to three' months, according to Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. As part of the agreement forged with the Defense Department (DOD), Germany will be the first country to receive the latest-generation Patriot system at an 'accelerated pace.' Berlin is providing the funding. 'The prerequisite was that the U.S. manufacturer would deliver new Patriot systems as quickly as possible in return so that we could continue to meet our NATO obligations. This commitment from the U.S. side has been made,' Pistorius said in a statement. 'Germany can therefore support Ukraine first with launchers and then with further Patriot system components,' the defense minister added. 'Once again, Germany is by far the strongest supporter of Ukraine in air defense.' President Trump announced in mid-July that he brokered a deal to send more weapons to Ukraine without placing a major burden on U.S. military supplies. As part of the agreement with NATO, the weapons would be sourced from NATO allies in Europe. 'We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to NATO,' Trump said at the time. 'NATO may choose to have certain of them sent to other countries where we can get a little additional speed, where the country will release something and be it'll be mostly in the form of a replacement.' The Patriot system is one of the few weapons systems around the world that can blow up Russian ballistic missiles, a proven critical capability as Russia has stepped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine. Germany has sent three Patriot systems to Ukraine since Russia's invasion kicked off in late February, 2022.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Germany's Klingbeil stresses solidarity with Baltic states in Vilnius
German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Tuesday assured fellow NATO members Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia of continued German assistance in light of Russia's expansionist ambitions, as he was in Vilnius for a two-day visit. "The Baltic states can always rely on the solidarity and support of the Federal Republic of Germany," said Klingbeil, who also serves as finance minister, after a meeting with his three counterparts in the Lithuanian capital. Klingbeil noted a recent decision by the government to exempt defence spending from Germany's strict debt rules, which would allow the country to massively increase investment in security in the long term. He said those plans also include further development of a German brigade stationed in Lithuania. Lithuanian Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius welcomed the plans which he said would strengthen security in Europe. Klingbeil intends to pay a visit to the Bundeswehr's Lithuania brigade himself, as well as to a multinational NATO battle group led by Germany in the country. Solve the daily Crossword
