Germany ‘urgently’ sending PAC-2 interceptors from its stockpile and urges other countries to do the same. What we know on day 1,659
Ukraine is contracting a supply of about 1,000 Patriot missiles over the coming years with the help of allies and through an EU loan, Kyiv’s defence minister, Yevhenii Khmara, said on Tuesday as the country’s allies met. Germany announced it is “urgently” sending Ukraine part of its stockpile of Patriot Pac-2 interceptors. Berlin’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, appealed to other supporters of Ukraine “to look into their own stocks and make similar deliveries”. The long-established Pac-2 version destroys ballistic missiles and aircraft by exploding and shredding them with shrapnel, whereas the latest upgrade, the Pac-3, is a higher precision “hit-to-kill” missile that rams into its targets.
“I am aware that it is not easy to strike a balance between one’s own security requirements and urgently needed support to Ukraine,” Pistorius said. “But please, if in doubt, decide in favour for Ukraine.” Before the defence contact group meeting started, the UK announced it had committed £100m to boost Ukraine’s air defences by buying US military equipment that will include Patriot interceptors, write Dan Sabbagh and Jamie Grierson. The commitment also covers large-calibre ammunition and drones.
