At the 36th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in 'Rammstein' format, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a package of urgent air defense supply deliveries for Kyiv. According to him, the Bundeswehr will send Ukraine PAC2 interceptor missiles from its own stockpiles, as well as increase ongoing deliveries of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles. Pistorius emphasized that all of these measures must be implemented before the onset of winter, when the load on the air defense system traditionally increases.
Urgent PAC2 delivery and call to allies
"That is why I have decided, together with the NATO summit, to urgently deliver the necessary PAC2 interceptor missiles to Ukraine from Bundeswehr stockpiles," Pistorius stated. He appealed to all UDCG members to check their own stockpiles and make similar deliveries. The minister acknowledged that "it is not easy to strike a balance between one's own security needs and the urgent support Ukraine requires," but urged: "If you are in doubt, decide in favor of Ukraine." In his assessment, from NATO's perspective, further substantial deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles by Ukraine's allies are acceptable.
AIM-9 missiles and the IRIS-T system: expanding the arsenal
In addition to PAC2, Germany intends to increase deliveries of AIM-9 missiles to ensure Ukraine receives a greater quantity of these munitions. "These missiles are being delivered now, and they will strengthen Ukraine's air defense before the onset of winter," Pistorius clarified. Separately, he reported that the Bundeswehr continues ongoing deliveries of the IRIS-T medium-range air defense system, including industrially produced guided missiles. According to him, IRIS-T "is being used in Ukraine very, very successfully."
EU defense loan and increased production
A key element of the statement was the information that Ukraine will order several thousand additional guided missiles for IRIS-T. The financing of this purchase will be carried out through the EU defense loan for Ukraine. Pistorius noted that the large volume of the order will allow missile production to be increased by adding another production line. "This purchase is a very good example of how the support loan for Ukraine can be used to expand the capacity of the European defense industry and improve the conditions for enhancing one's own defense potential," the minister summarized. It was previously reported that the EU had approved financing for the purchase of missiles for Patriot under the 90-billion-euro loan program, necessary to strengthen air defense before winter.
Beyond Germany: France, Italy and Patriot options
The context of the 'Rammstein' meeting points to coordinated efforts by several countries. Countries possessing Patriot air defense systems are considering several options for their rapid delivery to Ukraine before winter. In parallel, France, in coordination with Italy, is preparing the transfer of the SAMP/T system and Aster missiles. Thus, the package of measures announced at the 36th UDCG meeting is part of a broader Western partners' strategy to strengthen Ukraine's air shield ahead of the winter period of intensive strikes.
