**Germany and US to Send Additional Patriot Systems to Ukraine**
In a significant development, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced that the country will decide within days or weeks on sending two more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv. This decision was made after discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington.
According to Reuters, working-level talks will continue to finalize agreement details, including the precise number of launchers and missiles. Once a deal is secured, the first Patriot unit could arrive in Ukraine within months. It’s worth noting that Germany has already donated three of its own Patriot units to Kyiv, retaining nine systems for itself.
**Germany’s Shift in Defense Strategy**
This move reflects a significant shift in Germany’s defense strategy, as the country seeks to boost its military spending and become a more substantial contributor to NATO. For decades, Germany had lagged behind in defense spending, but now it has relaxed its constitutional debt brake to meet NATO’s new core military spending target of 3.5% of national output by 2029.
The German government aims to increase its defense spending to €162 billion (approximately $189 billion USD) in 2029, a significant boost from previous years. This move is seen as a response to European officials’ concerns over potential future Russian aggression and the anticipation of a possible drawdown of U.S. forces.
**Request for Typhon Missile Launchers**
In addition to the Patriot systems, Germany has also submitted a letter of request to Washington for the purchase of U.S. Typhon missile launchers. Pistorius characterized the Typhon system as a potential interim solution while European partners advance their own land-based long-range weapons development.
The Typhon, capable of launching missiles with a range of approximately 2,000 km (1,243 miles), could serve as an interim measure until European ground-launched long-range weapons are ready. The deployment of U.S. long-range missiles to Germany is currently scheduled for 2026.
**Review of US Global Force Posture**
Another topic discussed during Pistorius’ talks in Washington was the ongoing review of the U.S. global force posture. This review could result in troop reductions in Europe, where approximately 80,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed, with around 40,000 in Germany.
European allies have consistently urged Washington to ensure any drawdown is coordinated to prevent capability gaps that might leave NATO members vulnerable to Russian aggression.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
