Overview

• Germany agreed to send two Patriot air defense batteries from its Bundeswehr reserves to Ukraine immediately after the US elevated its delivery priority in the RTX production queue.
• Production of new Patriot systems faces delays of around eight months, leaving Europe’s limited air defenses stretched as Ukrainian demand rises.
• Berlin is pursuing a ring-exchange where NATO partners would give their Patriot systems to Kyiv in return for German replacements; several allies have hesitated to participate.
• The Ukraine Contact Group convened around 50 nations in a virtual meeting to coordinate urgent air defense aid against intensified Russian missile and drone attacks.
• Germany pledged funding for Ukrainian-made long-range drones and additional Gepard anti-air ammunition to bolster layered defenses.