Germany has no objection to giving Ukraine Patriot systems, but has ‘none to send’
In the new package of military assistance for Ukraine from the USA will be Patriot systems (Photo:yetdark/flickr.com)
Germany has no “principled objection” to following the United States in providing Ukraine with Patriot missile defense systems, but it does not currently have any available to send, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said on Dec. 21, Reuters reported.
Earlier Germany had agreed to deploy three Patriot missile systems in eastern Poland to help secure its NATO ally’s air space.
At the same time, Warsaw insisted on the transfer of these systems to Ukraine. In response, German officials said this would require the consent of the allies.
“These are the three available Patriot systems,” Hebestreit said.
The White House confirmed on Dec. 20 that the new military aid package to Ukraine would include Patriot missile defense systems.
The systems will be provided to Ukraine as part of a significant new package of nearly $2 billion of security assistance.
The U.S. will train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the Patriot missile battery in a third country.
In addition, the United States will continue to prioritize other forms of air defense support as well, including NASAMS, HAWKs, Stingers, and counter-UAV equipment.
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