Ukraine signs an agreement with Germany on the air defense system purchase funded by the partner countries

20 October, 2024 Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during the signing of the agreement. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to immediately strengthen air defense at the expense of partner countries.

This was reported on the official website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The agreement was signed as part of support for Ukraine and the further supply of air defense systems. In addition to Germany, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark will also join this initiative to strengthen air defense.

IRIS-T air defense system.

September 2023. Photo: Diehl Defence

Due to this initiative, partner countries will be able to rationally allocate their own funds to purchase air defense systems, which will then be transferred to Ukraine. In addition to joint projects, the countries will be able to independently purchase the necessary air defense systems for Ukraine.

"I sincerely thank Germany for the initiative and all the participating countries for their strong contribution to Ukraine's security," Rustem Umerov said. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany has already initiated the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense, as part of which it has donated a significant part of anti-aircraft missile systems. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Norway are funding this initiative.

The IRIS-T air defense system of the Ukrainian military.

February 2023, Ukraine. Photo credits: Ukrainian Air Force

In addition, Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, Lithuania, Romania, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom provide Ukraine with missiles and air defense systems. It is worth noting that most of the funds allocated are used to purchase German IRIS-T air defense systems manufactured by German companies and transferred to Ukraine in large quantities.

In addition to Germany, the United States is also making its own contribution, providing Ukraine with Patriot air defense missile systems and elevating Ukraine to the top priority recipient of anti-aircraft missiles.

Militarnyi previously reported that due to this status, the United States will prioritize the transfer of MIM-104 anti-aircraft missiles to the Patriot system, as well as AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems.