Germany on Friday announced it would begin the delivery of two U.S.-made Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine as the war-torn country endures further drone and missile attacks from Russia.
Ukraine will receive the Patriot missile launchers in the coming days, Germany’s Bundeswehr said, followed by additional system components that will be delivered over the next few months.
In exchange for giving up two of its own Patriot systems, Germany will receive priority in the delivery of next-generation Patriot missile systems, under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Germany and the U.S. had announced on July 22 that they would deliver five additional Patriot systems to Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Friday that the delivery demonstrates Germany’s commitment to Ukraine, adding it “shows once again that Germany is by far Ukraine’s strongest supporter when it comes to air defense.”
Germany has already delivered three Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly called for more air defense support from its European and American allies. Over the years, some NATO members provided Ukraine with their Patriot systems. This has raised concerns about when, or if, these systems would be replaced by the U.S.
The delivery comes as Russia continues to ramp up its aerial assault on Ukrainian cities. On Friday, Russia launched one of its most deadly attacks on Kyiv since the start of the war, with missile and drone strikes reportedly killing at least 31 people and injuring 159.
