Germany to hand over Patriot launchers to Ukraine

Germany will provide Ukraine with additional launchers for the Patriot SAM system.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this during his visit to Ukraine on December 2, 2024.

In addition to confirming the transfer of the previously announced IRIS-T air defense system and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns in December 2024, the German Chancellor also announced the transfer of new launchers for the Patriot air defense system.

In addition to the transfer of the air defense systems, he also announced the transfer in 2025 of six Sea King Mk41 multipurpose helicopters promised in January 2024. He also confirmed that they would be delivered in combat, not search and rescue, versions.

Following the chancellor’s statement, a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Defence clarified that Ukraine would also receive Leopard 1 tanks and attack drones in December.

“Winter is just around the corner, so there will also be winter gear, handguns and heating equipment,” said a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Defence.

The ministry noted that those supplies were part of the aid package announced by Berlin in October.

Overall, according to Germany’s draft budget for 2025, military aid to Ukraine has been reduced to €4 billion in 2025 from about €8 billion in 2024.

Germany hopes that Ukraine will be able to meet most of its military needs with a $50 billion loan.

The European Union plans to provide Ukraine with €1.5 billion per month starting in January 2025.

“This month, the European Union will provide Ukraine with an additional €4.2 billion to support Ukraine’s budget. In addition, starting next month, we plan to provide €1.5 billion of assistance on a monthly basis throughout the year,” he explained.

One of the features of such funding is that the EU allows these funds to be used to finance military needs.