Ukrainian and German Defence Ministers Mykhaylo Fedorov and Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent in Kyiv regarding the launch of Brave Germany — a joint programme aimed at developing defence technologies and supporting innovative start-ups.
This was reported by Ukrinform.
“Today, Germany is the world’s leading provider of security assistance to Ukraine. It accounts for around one-third of all aid to our country. I would also like to express my gratitude for the quality of the support and for backing key areas of our country’s defence. First and foremost — air defence,” Fedorov said following the signing of the documents.
According to him, this includes the procurement of hundreds of missiles for MIM-104 Patriot systems, which were supplied and funded by Germany.
He also recalled that Ukraine and Germany had recently signed a major contract, which Germany has already begun financing.
“Next year we will start receiving these missiles, and this is an unprecedented aid package for us,” Fedorov said, adding that funding for additional missiles had helped Ukraine survive the winter and protect critical infrastructure.
“In winter, on the personal initiative of Mr Boris (Boris Pistorius — ed.) at the UDCG (Ukraine Defence Contact Group — ed.), in the Ramstein format, he initiated support for an additional PAC-3 package for our country, so that in January, February and March, when Russia attacked our critical infrastructure, we could obtain missiles from European stockpiles. This was an unprecedented initiative,” Fedorov emphasised.
Evolution of mid-strike: How German-Ukrainian Anubis drones are breaking Russia’s air defence system
He also expressed gratitude for other areas of assistance in air defence, including funding for interceptor drones, as well as financing for IRIS-T systems and missiles for them.
Fedorov assured that both sides are continuing to follow the plan approved at the most recent Ramstein meeting.
As previously reported, Pistorius arrived in Kyiv today on an unannounced visit.