The move follows a surge of Russian drone and missile attacks that knocked out power across Ukraine and caused civilian casualties.
Germany will deliver more than €2 billion (about $2.3 billion) in new military aid to Ukraine, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on 15 October. The package centres on strengthening Ukraine’s air defences and precision strike capabilities as Kyiv braces for renewed Russian bombardment. Berlin will also contribute $500 million to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) effort to procure United States-made systems for Ukraine, with deliveries coordinated through NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List mechanism.
The assistance includes Patriot air-defence interceptors, radar systems, precision-guided artillery munitions, rockets and large quantities of ammunition. Germany will send two additional IRIS-T air-defence systems along with a substantial stock of guided missiles, and provide shoulder-fired anti-air weapons, anti-tank systems, small arms and secure communications equipment. Previously supplied German weapons will be upgraded and modernised to extend their operational life.
The announcement comes after one of Russia’s heaviest recent aerial barrages. On 10 October, Russian forces launched nearly 450 drones and 30 missiles, cutting power in nine regions, including the capital Kyiv. More than 20 people were injured in the strikes, and a child was killed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, underscoring the continuing threat to Ukraine’s cities and energy infrastructure as colder months approach.
Berlin’s latest tranche adds to a series of air-defence deliveries aimed at helping Ukraine counter missiles and drones targeting critical infrastructure and population centres. By funnelling support through NATO’s coordination framework, Germany says it is matching supplies to Kyiv’s most urgent battlefield needs while shoring up the sustainability of systems already in service. Officials did not disclose a delivery timeline, but emphasised the focus on rapid reinforcement of Ukraine’s air shield.