Latest news with #IRIS-T
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukrainian Embassy denies that Zelenskyy's visit to Germany was shortened
The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany has called reports in the German media that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his participation in the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a new Russian offensive "not true". Source: European Pravda with reference to a statement by the embassy Quote: "Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his participation in tomorrow's Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a Russian offensive are not true." Background: Earlier, Spiegel reported that President Zelenskyy supposedly would not be able to attend the event in Aachen on 29 May due to the escalation of the situation on the front lines and the threat of a large-scale Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast. On 28 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings in Berlin with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. During the visit, Germany promised new military aid to Ukraine worth €5 billion. Among other things, a contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T systems and missiles for them. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov said that the total value of the contract is €2.2 billion. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine's defence minister reveals details of IRIS-T production deal for Ukraine
Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov has announced that the new contract for the production of IRIS-T systems and corresponding missiles for Ukraine is worth €2.2 billion. Source: Umierov on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Umierov is currently in Berlin as part of a Ukrainian delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He reiterated that Germany announced a military aid package worth €5 billion on Wednesday, during the visit of Ukrainian officials. Among the agreements, a contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T air defence systems and corresponding missiles. Umierov reported that the total value of the contract amounts to €2.2 billion. The minister did not disclose the timeline for production or delivery of the systems. Umierov also noted that Germany will fund the procurement of Ukrainian long-range weapons worth several hundred million euros. Background: On Wednesday 28 May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced an expansion of military assistance to Ukraine but provided limited details, reflecting a new policy of restricted information about military support to Kyiv. Merz also vowed to do everything to prevent the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from operating. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The Age
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Germany must have a stronger army than Britain, chancellor says
Its soldiers were once forced to take part in a NATO exercise using broomsticks. Olaf Scholz, Merz's predecessor, sought to address this by creating a special fund of €100 billion ($174.4 billion) to restore the might of the German army. Merz has gone further by scrapping Germany's famously strict borrowing limits on the defence sector, with projects that cost more than 1 per cent of GDP now eligible for unlimited funding. His government is also considering a return to conscription, which was abandoned by Germany in 2011, if a new voluntary scheme of military service for young people does not draw enough recruits. Major rearmament of the country would not only require tens of thousands more troops but also increased production of long-range Taurus missiles, Leopard 2 battle tanks and IRIS-T missiles. The German army would also need to rebuild dilapidated barracks and fix the nation's crumbling transport network, which military officials fear is unable to rapidly transport troops and tanks to the east. The Bundeswehr currently consists of about 180,000 regular soldiers, considerably more than Britain's 135,000 regular troops. When taking into account reservist forces, the Bundeswehr claims to have almost a million soldiers at its disposal, a legacy of national service. The French military has about 200,000 active soldiers, plus 41,000 reservists, while the Polish military has more than 200,000 active-duty soldiers and about 40,000 reservists. Germany also has 296 battle tanks, more than the current British stockpile of 213 tanks, of which under 150 are believed to be in a serviceable condition, according to analysis by data website Statista. Poland has 614, the highest number of tanks at the ready, while France has 215. Germany also overtook the UK in military spending in 2024, according to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Loading However, experts still consider the British Army's level of combat experience and quality of training to be superior to Germany's. Unlike Germany, Britain also has its own nuclear weapons programme, Trident, which serves as the ultimate military deterrent and is believed to have about 60 nuclear missiles. The UK's surface fleet has 52 warships, whereas Germany's has between 30 and 40, according to analysis by The Telegraph, London. The UK also possesses nine submarines – more than Germany's six. Germany technically has no nuclear missiles because it has no nuclear program. However, it does host an unknown number of US nuclear missiles at military bases – at least 20 according to some estimates – but has no control over them. More bullish tone As part of efforts to play a bigger role in European security, the German armed forces have taken charge of a new NATO mission to protect the Baltic Sea from Russian saboteurs. The mission, known as Task Force Baltic, has increased surveillance and naval patrols in the area, which deter and seize vessels suspected of attempting to cut undersea cables. Senior officers in the German navy have also adopted a more bullish tone towards Russia in recent months. Loading Speaking to the Telegraph in February, Stephan Haisch, a rear admiral in the German Navy, said it was a 'good sign' that German military activity in the Baltic region was 'bothering' Russia. However, some German leaders fear that, psychologically, the country is not ready for war – and perhaps never will be. Joachim Gauck, who served as German president from 2012 to 2017, suggested last month that Germans were too mentally weak to cope with warfare after decades of peace and prosperity. He told Philipp Sandmann, a German newsletter publisher: 'What concerns me is not just a military weakness but a mental one, that we are not sufficiently prepared – not just technically, but in terms of emotion, morality and politics. We need a new seriousness.' Germany and Britain this week announced a new joint project to develop long-range missiles, building on their recent Trinity House security pact. Berlin will also source British-made military bridges to improve the nation's infrastructure, the two countries' defence ministries announced in a statement.
Sydney Morning Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Germany must have a stronger army than Britain, chancellor says
Its soldiers were once forced to take part in a NATO exercise using broomsticks. Olaf Scholz, Merz's predecessor, sought to address this by creating a special fund of €100 billion ($174.4 billion) to restore the might of the German army. Merz has gone further by scrapping Germany's famously strict borrowing limits on the defence sector, with projects that cost more than 1 per cent of GDP now eligible for unlimited funding. His government is also considering a return to conscription, which was abandoned by Germany in 2011, if a new voluntary scheme of military service for young people does not draw enough recruits. Major rearmament of the country would not only require tens of thousands more troops but also increased production of long-range Taurus missiles, Leopard 2 battle tanks and IRIS-T missiles. The German army would also need to rebuild dilapidated barracks and fix the nation's crumbling transport network, which military officials fear is unable to rapidly transport troops and tanks to the east. The Bundeswehr currently consists of about 180,000 regular soldiers, considerably more than Britain's 135,000 regular troops. When taking into account reservist forces, the Bundeswehr claims to have almost a million soldiers at its disposal, a legacy of national service. The French military has about 200,000 active soldiers, plus 41,000 reservists, while the Polish military has more than 200,000 active-duty soldiers and about 40,000 reservists. Germany also has 296 battle tanks, more than the current British stockpile of 213 tanks, of which under 150 are believed to be in a serviceable condition, according to analysis by data website Statista. Poland has 614, the highest number of tanks at the ready, while France has 215. Germany also overtook the UK in military spending in 2024, according to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Loading However, experts still consider the British Army's level of combat experience and quality of training to be superior to Germany's. Unlike Germany, Britain also has its own nuclear weapons programme, Trident, which serves as the ultimate military deterrent and is believed to have about 60 nuclear missiles. The UK's surface fleet has 52 warships, whereas Germany's has between 30 and 40, according to analysis by The Telegraph, London. The UK also possesses nine submarines – more than Germany's six. Germany technically has no nuclear missiles because it has no nuclear program. However, it does host an unknown number of US nuclear missiles at military bases – at least 20 according to some estimates – but has no control over them. More bullish tone As part of efforts to play a bigger role in European security, the German armed forces have taken charge of a new NATO mission to protect the Baltic Sea from Russian saboteurs. The mission, known as Task Force Baltic, has increased surveillance and naval patrols in the area, which deter and seize vessels suspected of attempting to cut undersea cables. Senior officers in the German navy have also adopted a more bullish tone towards Russia in recent months. Loading Speaking to the Telegraph in February, Stephan Haisch, a rear admiral in the German Navy, said it was a 'good sign' that German military activity in the Baltic region was 'bothering' Russia. However, some German leaders fear that, psychologically, the country is not ready for war – and perhaps never will be. Joachim Gauck, who served as German president from 2012 to 2017, suggested last month that Germans were too mentally weak to cope with warfare after decades of peace and prosperity. He told Philipp Sandmann, a German newsletter publisher: 'What concerns me is not just a military weakness but a mental one, that we are not sufficiently prepared – not just technically, but in terms of emotion, morality and politics. We need a new seriousness.' Germany and Britain this week announced a new joint project to develop long-range missiles, building on their recent Trinity House security pact. Berlin will also source British-made military bridges to improve the nation's infrastructure, the two countries' defence ministries announced in a statement.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky thanks outgoing German Chancellor Scholz for Ukraine support
President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a phone call on May 5 and thanked him for supporting Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing war. "We appreciate that plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine throughout the years of war. Ukraine is also grateful for your personal commitment," Zelensky in a post to social media. Scholz held power in Germany throughout Russia's full-scale war against , playing a key role in Europe's response to Russia's aggression. The leader has been praised for providing Ukraine with military aid and for his cautious approach towards Russia. "There are many milestones to reflect upon: the Zeitenwende speech, the historic coffee break that helped open the way for Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, three batteries and other air defense supplies — and much more," Zelensky said. The was made by Scholz just days after Russia began its full-scale war against Ukraine, affirming Germany's support for Ukraine and signaled a renewed commitment to defense. Zelensky thanked Scholz for "standing for Ukraine" and described the relationship between the two leaders as "friendly." "Thank you for your trusting partnership... My deepest appreciation for your courage, bravery and determination in the fight against Russian aggression. It remains clear: Ukraine can count on Germany," Scholz later in response to Zelensky. Incoming German Chancellor, is set to take over the chancellery and has vowed to continue support for Ukraine. Germany, on April 17, announced a package for Ukraine, including IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles for Patriots. Air defense systems are crucial amid Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, which regularly target civilian infrastructure. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv reportedly targets Moscow, destroys drone control center in Kursk Oblast We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
