BERLIN, July 24: Germany will receive the first Patriot air defense system from the United States to replace those transferred to Ukraine no earlier than in eight months, while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Der Spiegel reported citing sources.
In comments to Der Spiegel news magazine, Pistorius said European NATO members needed “watertight” guarantees that any American-made Patriot air-defence systems sent to Ukraine would be replaced within about six to eight months.
It will take even more time to deliver all the other systems, the report said.. The report added that the US plans to move the countries that transferred Patriot to Kyiv to the top of the list of applicants for new systems from American company RTX Corporation.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told the magazine that he is negotiating with the manufacturer about accelerating production and deliveries, and may also discuss the issue with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth. The minister reportedly noted that the delivery times for the new systems should be “months, not years.”
“We expect NATO to approach the US again and make it clear to the manufacturer of the Patriot systems that the countries that supply them must receive the new systems within a few months … It’s not just about the current operational capabilities of our air defense. But it’s also about our ability to continuously conduct training on the Patriot systems,” Pistorius was quoted as saying by Der Spiegel.
He also recalled that Germany has already transferred three of its twelve systems to Ukraine, and two are deployed in Poland. At least one system is required to train military personnel, including Ukrainians.
US President Donald Trump last week announced a deal with NATO chief Mark Rutte for European alliance members to buy US weaponry particularly Patriot systems for Kyiv to help it in its war against Russia.
The move marked a pivot for Trump as his patience has worn thin with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for frustrating efforts to stop the war in Ukraine.
(UNI)
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