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Germany and Ukraine signed a \u20ac4 billion defence package on Tuesday, including hundreds of Patriot missiles and joint drone production, as the two countries held their first bilateral government consultations since 2004.<\/p>\n
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Defence ministers from both countries also agreed to share digital battlefield data aimed at developing new weapons systems. <\/p>\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a brief visit to the German capital for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.<\/p>\n
Around midday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Mykhailo Fedorov<\/a> signed the defence agreement.<\/p>\n According to the German defence ministry, the deal will focus in particular on analysing how German systems are used on the battlefield, including the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, the RCH 155 artillery system and IRIS-T air defence. <\/p>\n It will also involve sharing Ukrainian expertise and battlefield data, including from digital platforms such as Avengers and DELTA. These systems gather real-time information from the front, link it across units and feed it into command structures to enable faster military decision-making.<\/p>\n A joint European system developed with Ukraine could further bolster the continent’s strategic independence, Merz said after the signing.<\/p>\n Shortly afterwards, Fedorov announced on Telegram the \u20ac4 billion defence package between Germany and Ukraine.<\/p>\n The package includes several hundred Patriot missiles and 36 IRIS-T launchers to strengthen air defences, \u20ac300 million in investment in Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, and the joint production of 5,000 AI-enabled mid-range strike drones for the armed forces.<\/p>\n ‘Biggest agreement of its kind in Europe’<\/p>\n Zelenskyy said a total of 10 agreements had been signed, stressing that the military elements were the most important, including deliveries of IRIS-T systems and missiles for US-made Patriot air defences.<\/p>\n He added that new anti-ballistic systems would be produced, along with capabilities “to protect against any drones, any air attacks”.<\/p>\n “Our experience can be integrated into the European security system,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s battlefield know-how would also prove valuable in the Middle East<\/a>. <\/p>\n He also pointed to a new “framework document” on drones<\/a> agreed with Germany \u2013similar to a deal Ukraine recently struck in the Middle East \u2013 describing it as the “biggest agreement of its kind in Europe”.<\/p>\n Germany finances Raytheon deal<\/p>\n According to the defence ministry, Germany is financing a contract between Ukraine and Raytheon to deliver several hundred Patriot missiles<\/a> to bolster Ukraine’s air defences.<\/p>\n “In addition, further launchers for IRIS-T air defence systems have been agreed with Diehl Defence. This project will also be financed by Germany and will significantly improve the protection of critical infrastructure and cities,” the German defence ministry said. <\/p>\n Merz said that Berlin is placing greater emphasis on joint armaments projects, not only to support Ukraine but also to strengthen the security of Germany and Europe. <\/p>\n He described the Ukrainian military as one of the most battle-hardened in Europe, with a defence industry regarded as “particularly innovative”. <\/p>\n Merz said cooperation between the two countries was now “more effective” and ties “deeper than ever”, though he added that the relationship should be taken to a new level.<\/p>\n He also reiterated that Germany had already provided support on an “unprecedented scale”, making it one of Ukraine’s most important bilateral partners.<\/p>\n ‘Build with Ukraine’<\/p>\n Fedorov was received at the defence ministry on Tuesday morning, where talks with Pistorius focused on joint ventures between German and Ukrainian defence firms. <\/p>\n According to the ministry, the two sides agreed to produce medium- and long-range drones using advanced technologies under the “Build with Ukraine” initiative.<\/p>\n The project includes establishing a joint venture to supply thousands of drones to bolster the capabilities of Ukraine’s armed forces, although it remains unclear which manufacturer will be involved. <\/p>\n One company already linked to the initiative is Quantum Systems<\/a>. Its cooperation with Ukrainian firm Frontline Robotics is said to have produced around 10,000 multi-purpose quadcopter drones for Ukraine’s military.<\/p>\n