Germany gathers a new batch of Patriot missiles for Ukraine

Ukraine is expected to receive more than 30 interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defence system in the coming weeks due to the efforts of Germany's defence minister.

According to Spiegel, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has managed to put together a package of around 30 PAC-3 missiles provided by European partners and allies to replenish Ukraine's stocks. Together with missiles that Germany itself will provide from Bundeswehr reserves, Ukraine is expected to receive around 35 interceptors in total.

Germany's Defence Ministry confirmed that the delivery of the missiles is being prepared but declined to specify the exact number of PAC-3 missiles in the shipment.

A spokesperson for the German Defence Ministry added that Berlin will also continue supplying Ukraine with other systems and components, including portable MANPADS air defence systems, AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, guided missiles for German IRIS-T air-defence systems, components for repairing and maintaining Patriot and IRIS-T systems, and funding for Ukrainian-developed air defence capabilities.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Pistorius said Germany would provide five PAC-3 missiles from Bundeswehr stockpiles if other partners could jointly find 30 additional missiles. Several countries, including the Netherlands, pledged to try to do so.

Spiegel noted that Ukraine needs around 60 interceptor missiles per month on average.

The outbreak of full-scale hostilities in the Middle East has raised concerns that Ukraine could face greater difficulties obtaining Patriot interceptors, as US allies in the Persian Gulf also urgently require them.

Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, said that about 800 US-made interceptor missiles were used in the Middle East over three days, exceeding the number Ukraine used during the winter.

He added that the European Union is looking for ways to avoid a shortage of air defence missiles for Ukraine amid the war in the Middle East.

Last week, Aliona Hetmanchuk, Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, said there are currently no delays in the delivery of US weapons to Ukraine.