The German government is preparing a military aid package for Ukraine worth a total of €2.7 billion, representing Berlin’s largest contribution since the start of the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow, the German magazine Spiegel reported. The German Defense Ministry subsequently confirmed the delivery plans.
The aid package is expected to be announced this Sunday during the presentation of the Charlemagne Prize to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Although it is not known whether Zelensky will be present at the event, negotiations to agree on the aid package were conducted in recent days on a confidential basis.
The aid package will include a variety of military equipment for Ukraine. Some of the items mentioned are: 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles; 30 Leopard 1 tanks; 18 self-propelled howitzers; 15 Gepard anti-aircraft armored vehicles; 200 reconnaissance drones; medium-range Iris-T-SLM anti-aircraft defense systems; short-range Iris-T-SLS launchers; armored combat and logistic vehicles; and additional artillery ammunition, among others.
Initially, Germany was reluctant to provide heavy weapons and equipment to Ukraine after the start of the Russian offensive, but eventually relented and authorized the delivery of several systems, such as Gepard, Iris-T, Marder, and Leopard.
This military aid from Germany aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of Russian aggression and to show greater support for the embattled country.