Germany to transfer quarter of its Patriot stocks to Ukraine, says Defense Minister

German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (Getty Images)

Germany will transfer to Ukraine a quarter of its stock of Patriot air defense systems, including the third one, which will be delivered soon, says German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius at a Ramstein Group meeting.

"We will transfer the third Patriot system to Ukraine. Thus, Germany provides Ukraine with a total of 3 systems... This is a quarter of our own stocks of such systems, and we no longer have the opportunity to transfer more. Others can probably give one each,” the minister said.

Pistorius adds that Germany is providing training for Ukrainian soldiers in operating these systems and giving the missiles. Another 68 missiles, purchased through the efforts of several countries, will be delivered in the coming days and weeks.

According to the minister, the partners are also currently exploring opportunities to increase Patriot production, but the problem is that it takes time.

Answering a question about the long-range Taurus missiles, Pistorius said that "everything has already been said about it.”

Patriot for Ukraine

Amid Russia's massive strikes on the territory of Ukraine, the issue of strengthening air defense has become even more acute. Germany has already transferred two Patriot systems to Ukraine so far and announced another battery transfer in April.

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that new positive decisions on sending two or three Patriot systems were expected. Negotiations are currently underway with the United States and European countries.