Aid for Ukraine

Third Patriot system arrives from Germany

The third Patriot air defense system from Germany has now arrived in Ukraine.

"It will help to improve the protection of the population and infrastructure," wrote Martin Jäger on X (formerly Twitter). The Ukrainian crew had completed appropriate training in Germany. The majority of German arms deliveries have recently gone to Ukraine.

In total, Germany issued licenses for arms exports worth around 7.6 billion euros in the first half of the year. This is according to a report on arms export policy published by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs on Friday. Ukraine was the main recipient country with around 4.9 billion euros in licensed exports, which corresponds to 64 percent. In total, 91 percent of licenses were for exports to EU, NATO and NATO-equivalent countries, including Ukraine.

Arms exports from Germany reach record high
Of the total volume of around 7.6 billion euros, 5.5 billion euros went to war weapons and 2.1 billion euros to other military equipment, according to the figures. State Secretary Sven Giegold emphasized: "The composition of the approval values makes it clear what is important to us: supporting Ukraine and other partner countries, defending our peace order and safeguarding human rights."

In 2023 as a whole, arms exports from Germany rose to around 12.2 billion euros, a record high. Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia in February 2022, was also the main recipient country last year, with arms exports totaling around 4.4 billion euros.