Two Patriot systems are being prepared for Ukraine, says Pistorius

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius gives a press conference following his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth | Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

By Anna Ringle and Michael Fischer, dpa

Washington: The delivery of two Patriot systems for Ukraine is being prepared, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in Washington on Monday after meeting with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The delivery is to be financed by Germany. However, the final technical, logistical and financial details still need to be clarified, Pistorius said after his talks with the U.S. defence secretary. These “appear to be solvable for both of us, so we will get to work quickly,” Pistorius added. Ukraine urgently needs additional air defence systems, Pistorius asserted.

In a telephone conversation a few weeks ago, he had made the suggestion to Hegseth to buy two Patriot systems from the U.S. in order to deliver them to Ukraine.

There are now two options: Either Germany buys two immediately available systems from U.S. stocks, which are then delivered directly from there to Ukraine. Or the German armed forces, or Bundeswehr, initially provides Ukraine with two of its systems and later receives replacements from the U.S.

The Patriot missiles can be used to intercept enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The targets can be hit at a distance of around 100 kilometres and at altitudes of up to 30 kilometres. The mobile launch station resembles a large lorry and contains up to four launch containers. According to the U.S. military, a total of up to 16 defence missiles can be loaded, depending on the configuration.

The German defence minister was in the U.S. capital on his first visit since President Donald Trump took office in January. At the start of the talks, Pistorius assured Hegseth that Germany would continue to play a strong and reliable role in the NATO alliance. Germany was determined to play its part in building a more efficient, reliable and resilient Europe.

Trump’s turnaround on sanctions against Russia likely played a role in the talks. The U.S. president has threatened Russia’s trade partners with massive tariffs if there is no “deal” in the Ukraine war in the next 50 days. Trump on Monday announced his intention to sell Patriot weapons systems for Ukraine to European allies including Germany.

“We’ve made a deal today where we’re going to be sending them weapons, and they’re going to be paying for them. We the United States will not be having any payment made. We’re not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they’re going to be paying for it,” Trump explained at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Merz praises Trump’s plans

In a post on X on Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the U.S. president’s plans to supply Ukraine with weapons “on a large scale,” as Merz described it.

“President Trump and I have discussed this several times in recent days. I assured him: Germany will play an active role,” Merz wrote on X. “We are doing this in our own interest,” Merz continued. “This will help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s bombing terror. Only in this way will the pressure on Moscow increase to finally negotiate peace. Ultimately, we are demonstrating that we are pulling together as security policy partners.”

Germany seeks U.S. Typhon missile system

Germany is also looking to acquire the long-range Typhon missile system from the U.S., a move aimed at boosting the country’s deterrence capabilities, Pistorius said. The Typhon system can fire various types of guided missiles with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometres.

“Simply put, these are land-based launchers that can fire different types of guided missiles over various distances,” Pistorius told reporters in Washington on Monday.

While the purchase has not yet been finalised, Germany has formally expressed interest. The U.S. is currently reviewing the request, and Pistorius said Hegseth responded positively during their meeting. The missiles could, in principle, reach targets in Russia, but the defence minister emphasised the system would be used strictly for deterrence and to enhance Germany’s and Europe’s defence capabilities.