Germany expands Ukraine air defense funding by $231.5 mn

Germany will provide Ukraine with an additional €200 million ($231.5 million) to bolster defenses against Russian air attacks, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner announced on 11 March during a plenary session of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

A portion of the funding is earmarked for expanding the reconnaissance drone fleet available to Ukraine's Defense Forces, with civilian protection receiving dedicated attention within the package.

"It is about increasing funds for reconnaissance drones and civil defense, in order to be able to better protect people and vital infrastructure," Klöckner said.

The announcement follows Germany's coordination with NATO partners to assemble a batch of PAC-3 interceptor missiles used by Patriot air defense systems to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles. According to available information, approximately 30 interceptors were gathered from several European partners, with Germany itself having previously pledged five more from its own army stockpiles.