200 Recon Drones, 4 IRST-T Air Defense Systems in €2.7B German Aid to Ukraine

Germany is sending 200 reconnaissance drones and four IRST-T air defense systems to Ukraine as part of its latest €2.7 billion military aid package.

Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz announced this during a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Berlin.

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine will also receive Leopard tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and Iris-T air defense systems from us. We read the horrific news, and so it is clear to us that those responsible for this war must be put in the dock. No country in the world has the right to attack another country, no country has the right to kill or abduct children. That is why we stand together, together with our partners, to ensure that Russia is brought to justice for these crimes,” Olaf Scholz summarized.

Before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Germany provided Ukraine with assistance worth €17 billion, Scholz said, while assuring that Berlin’s humanitarian, financial, economic, and military support will continue “as long as it is needed.”

The full content of the aid package has not been detailed yet, however, the day before, Spiegel reported that Berlin plans to transfer 20 Marder IFVs and 30 Leopard 1 tanks, as well as 18 RCH 155 self-propelled artillery systems, the transfer of which was announced in 2022.

Ukraine’s skies will be protected by four German IRIS-T-SLM air defense systems (12 launchers) and hundreds of guided missiles for this system, besides transferring up to 200 reconnaissance drones.