At first they were not welcome in Germany: arms deliveries to Ukraine. Now Berlin is sending military helicopters for the first time. And that’s not all.
Germany has promised further military aid to Ukraine. As the Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday after discussions with the Ukraine Contact Group, Ukraine is to receive six Sea King Mk41 multi-purpose helicopters from the Bundeswehr from the second quarter of 2024. The delivery also includes an “extensive accessories and spare parts package as well as aviation and technical training support”.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) took part in the video conference of the Ukraine contact group. According to his ministry, the main focus was on the current situation on the front and long-term support for Ukraine through so-called capability coalitions. Germany has been leading the air defense capability coalition together with France since November.
Pistorius said after the conference that the Sea King is a “proven and robust helicopter that will help Ukrainians in many areas: from reconnaissance over the Black Sea to transporting soldiers.” This is the first German delivery of this kind.
Germany is planning further arms deliveries to Ukraine
“Air defense remains the number one priority for protecting the Ukrainian population and infrastructure,” Piostorius said. “We also need more speed in arms production.” Germany is taking on this dual task: “On the one hand, we are covering Ukraine’s most urgent needs here and now with weapons, materials and training,” emphasized Pistorius. “On the other hand, with the Air Defense Capability Coalition we promise long-term support with the most modern systems, the best training and sustainable structures.”
Pistorius explained that the federal government has also planned to train 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in Germany by 2024. Further deliveries are also planned, including additional Iris-T air defense systems and Gepard tanks, artillery and artillery ammunition, over 80 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks as well as additional armored personnel carriers, engineer tanks and bridge-laying vehicles, 450 protected vehicles, mine clearance systems as well as drones, radars and Reconnaissance systems.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, German military aid has reportedly totaled around six billion euros. The air defense and air defense systems delivered alone have a total value of over 2.2 billion euros.
Source: Stern
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