Germany approves new $5.65B military aid package for Ukraine

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Germany has approved a new €5 billion (approximately $5.65 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, which includes funds for long-range weapons and air defense systems, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Wednesday during an official visit to Berlin.

Umerov said the package includes a Letter of Intent signed with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, which allocates hundreds of millions of euros for the purchase of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons.

"This is a direct strengthening of our defense industry and defense forces," he said, as quoted by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

The deal also covers a €2.2 billion contract signed with Diehl Defense to produce IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles.

Germany will also fund Ukrainian-made medical equipment and encourage overall investment in Ukraine's defense sector.

"Germany has pledged to support investments in the Ukrainian defense industry and to encourage others to do so, particularly in air defense," Umerov noted.

Germany remains one of Ukraine's largest security supporters amid its ongoing war with Russia.