Vilnius (dpa) – At the opening of the NATO summit in Lithuania, Germany’s Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged an new package of weapons worth 700 million euros, including additional tanks, munitions and Patriot air defence systems. Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Scholz said this put Germany at the very forefront of military support for Ukraine.
Germany’s latest commitment to Ukraine includes an additional 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Leopard 1A5 battle tanks and 5 armoured recovery vehicles from industrial stocks, along with launchers for Patriot air defence missile systems from the Federal Armed Forces. Ukraine is also being sent mine clearance equipment and a package of medical equipment with components for a field hospital.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that the package fitted Ukraine’s priorities of air defence, tanks and artillery. “By doing this, we’re making a significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s staying power,” he said. Pistorius and Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock are accompanying Federal Chancellor Scholz to the two-day summit in Lithuania, which is bringing together leaders of NATO countries.
According to figures from the Ministry for Economic Affairs, which is responsible for arms exports, in the period between the Russian invasion in February 2022 and 30 June 2023, Germany has approved deliveries from military and industrial stocks worth 3.9 billion euros. This does not include deliveries which do not require approval. Overall, Germany ranks second behind the USA in terms of arms supplies to Ukraine.