Germany announced a new and extensive military aid package for Ukraine on April 11, committing to send more defense systems and equipment as part of its ongoing support.
The announcement was made by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius during the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), held at NATO headquarters in Brussels and co-chaired by Germany and the United Kingdom.
According to German broadcaster n-tv, the latest package includes four IRIS-T air defense systems with 300 missiles, 15 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 14 artillery systems, 120 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), 300 reconnaissance drones, 100 ground surveillance radars, and 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. This raises Germany’s total artillery supply to Ukraine to nearly 500,000 rounds. Pistorius also confirmed that 30 Patriot missiles have already been delivered.
Germany’s expanded commitment, valued at €11 billion through 2029, builds on the €7 billion already earmarked for Ukraine, as confirmed by the German Finance Ministry. The funding is intended for procurement of additional air defense systems, guided munitions, spare parts, and related logistics to support Ukrainian operational needs.
“Ukraine needs a strong military,” Pistorius told reporters. “Only then can the negotiation process lead to a just and lasting peace.”
The UDCG meeting brought together defense ministers from 51 nations. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth participated remotely. While Washington did not announce additional aid during this round, U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey revealed a joint British-Norwegian package worth £450 million ($590 million) to fund drone deliveries, radar systems, anti-tank mines, and battlefield maintenance.
Air defense was a core topic of the Brussels meeting. Healey noted that Russia had dropped over 10,000 glide bombs on Ukrainian targets during the first quarter of 2025. “In our calculations, 70% to 80% of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones,” he said.
In addition to weapons deliveries, Germany spearheaded the formation of a new capability coalition focused on electromagnetic warfare (EMW). Supported by nine other partner nations, this coalition aims to strengthen Ukraine’s capacities in four areas: protecting communications, disrupting enemy signals, countering drones, and enhancing the effectiveness of weapons systems. Insights from this effort will also contribute to future capability development within the Bundeswehr.
However, Germany’s support has not been without challenges. According to internal Bundeswehr assessments cited by Der Spiegel and Bojan Pancevski of the Wall Street Journal, several German systems face operational limitations in Ukraine. The Panzerhaubitze 2000, though highly accurate, was flagged as technically sensitive and difficult to maintain in combat. The Leopard 1A5 has reportedly been used in indirect fire roles due to its insufficient armor, and the more advanced Leopard 2A6 is often sidelined by maintenance demands.
German weapons systems donated to Ukraine have issues: they either need too much maintenance because of the intensity of fighting, or the ammunition is too expensive.The systems that performed the best are decades old and no longer used in Germany: the Gepard, a self-propelled… https://t.co/7DQdEO6Hqa
— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) April 11, 2025
The IRIS-T system, while praised for its performance, suffers from limited stockpiles and high missile costs. The Patriot system, largely supplied by Germany, has faced spare parts shortages, particularly for its aging MAN carrier vehicles. In contrast, legacy platforms such as the Gepard anti-aircraft gun and Marder IFV have earned praise for their durability and reliability.
Rapid deployment, combined with limited time for technical training, has complicated the Ukrainian military’s use of some advanced German systems. Additionally, logistical difficulties, limited repair capacity near the front, and strained infrastructure continue to affect field maintenance.
Despite these issues, Germany remains the largest European military donor to Ukraine. Pistorius reiterated that new framework agreements are being developed with industry partners to improve spare parts supply and sustain Ukrainian combat effectiveness. He also confirmed ongoing training support for Ukrainian personnel in Germany.
