Germany Now Sourcing Air Defense Systems “All Over The World” For Ukraine
German defense minister Boris Pistorius said April 11 that Germany had restarted its efforts to source air defense systems to meet Ukraine’s needs, while it awaits deliveries of additional PATRIOT surface-to-air missile systems.
In a press conference after the Ukraine Defense Contract Group meeting earlier that day, Pistorius said that any additional PATRIOT system deliveries would only be able to take place after the German military starts receiving its latest PATRIOT order in 2027. However, Berlin was now searching “all over the world” to find comparable air defense systems.
Before the meeting, Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelensky said that his priority for the meeting was securing additional air defense systems and particularly PATRIOT systems in order to defend against continuing Russian long range drone and missile attacks.
The United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, said during the same press conference that the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group had resulted in pledges of over 21 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine, describing 2025 as a “critical year” for Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russia’s invasion.
In a press conference after the meeting, Healey highlighted that it has been a month since the Trump administration’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine was made. “Putin said he wanted peace but he rejected a full ceasefire. Putin said he wanted peace but he continues to drag his feet and delay negotiations. Putin said he wanted peace but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine, military and civilian targets alike”.
Healey said the UK’s latest round of pledges amounted to £4.5 billion in military aid, with London “surging” £350 million worth of radar systems, anti-tank mines, as well as “hundreds of thousands” of drones for Ukrainian soldiers. Healey emphasized the importance of drones to both Ukraine and Russia’s militaries, saying that the UK’s estimates were now that “70-80% of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones”.
Pistorius added that German lawmakers had approved an additional 11 billion euros for military aid through 2029 in addition to previous pledges. In addition to delivering self-propelled howitzers and infantry fighting vehicles, Pistorius said Germany would work to enhance Ukraine’s ability to maintain and repair donated systems in Ukraine.
Pistorius also announced Germany’s creation of a new capability coalition to support Ukrainian “electromagnetic warfare capabilities”. This ninth coalition will support Ukrainian efforts to secure military communications, deny Russian communications, as well as providing countermeasures against drones.
Ukrainian defense minister Rustem Umerov described the meeting as “productive, effective and efficient”. He said the meeting demonstrated that Europe was now taking the lead for military aid to Ukraine.