Ukraine will receive the first Patriot funded by Germany in six months – Bild
19 July 13:18
The first Patriot system for Ukraine, which Germany will pay for, is still under construction. The system will be ready in at least six to eight months.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Bild.
“Switzerland is moving further up the waiting list for Patriot systems. The first unit will be delivered not in Bern, but in Ukraine, and Germany will pay for it. However, the system is still being manufactured by the American defense company Raytheon and is expected to be ready in six to eight months at the earliest,” the article says.
It is noted that Germany is considering transferring another Patriot unit from the Bundeswehr’s stocks to Ukraine, replacing it with a new one from the American company Raytheon. But its production and delivery will “take years”.
According to sources in German government circles, the original plan was for the United States to supply Ukraine with weapons from its own stockpile. Germany was to cover the costs of pre-orders.
However, US President Donald Trump insisted that the Pentagon “cannot give away any of its air defense equipment,” and Europe must find air defense systems from its own stockpiles.
At the same time, the newspaper writes that Europe lacks air defense systems, and negotiations on who can help Ukraine have been going on for several days.
According to Bild, three Patriot air defense systems are currently being upgraded and are not yet ready for use, and one more is needed to train soldiers.
