Germany targets air defense ramp-up as Berlin corrals allies behind Ukraine – POLITICO
![Germany targets air defense ramp-up as Berlin corrals allies behind Ukraine – POLITICO Germany targets air defense ramp-up as Berlin corrals allies behind Ukraine – POLITICO](https://newsnetdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4233001-1-scaled.jpg)
The German Defense Ministry said Denmark and the Netherlands were in discussions over financial support for the IAAD. “Several other partners have also agreed to thoroughly examine whether they can also provide systems or provide resources,” the ministry added.
While the German government has been criticized for refusing to donate Taurus cruise missiles to kyiv, it has instead sought to increase its air defense system capabilities.
In March, Berlin confirmed a 1.3 billion euro order for four new Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, partly to replace the two already sent to kyiv. Earlier this month, Germany then promised a third Patriot system, while on Saturday Bloomberg reported that Berlin was mulling a new order from manufacturer Raytheon.
By also asking for financial pledges under the IAAD initiative, Berlin is emulating a program launched by the Czech Republic – also first reported by POLITICO – to jointly finance the purchase of artillery munitions on the global market for then deliver them to Ukraine.
This munitions program has so far raised hundreds of millions of euros, with Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands among the main contributors.
However, in recent weeks, Russia has demonstrated its artillery supremacy with a series of bombings on Ukrainian cities.
Politices