Germany on Saturday announced its largest weapons package yet for Ukraine, promising more tanks, armoured vehicles and substantial air defence systems as a widely anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive looms.
The €2.7 billion package, or about $2.95 billion, amounts to roughly as much as Germany’s total military aid contribution to Ukraine since the war began and was announced as Ukrainian officials have said they are in the final stages of preparations for a counteroffensive. But Germany’s defence ministry did not specify when the new weapons would be delivered.
“We all wish for a speedy end to this terrible war waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which is in violation of international law,” Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, said on Saturday.
The package — which includes 30 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 20 armoured infantry fighting vehicles, four Iris-T SLM air defence systems, 100 armoured fighting vehicles and 200 drones — represents a turnaround for a country that was criticised earlier in the war.
New York Times News Service
