Merz calls air defense Ukraine's main weakness: Germany seeks solutions

Air defense remains Ukraine's biggest vulnerability, and Germany together with partners is looking for additional ways to strengthen it. This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reports Deutsche Welle.

According to Merz, the problem is especially acute against the backdrop of Russian strikes with ballistic missiles. To intercept them, Ukraine first of all needs Patriot systems and corresponding interceptor missiles, the stocks of which are limited not only in Kyiv, but also among its partners.

Germany has been trying for several months to find additional systems and ammunition for Ukrainian air defense. In August, the German government confirmed that it was searching for available Patriots around the world, but the possibilities to quickly obtain additional systems remain limited.

In September, Berlin announced new supplies of air defense equipment to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that additional PAC-2 missiles for Patriot, as well as AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, will be transferred from Bundeswehr stocks.

In addition, with European funding, Ukraine plans to order several thousand missiles for IRIS-T systems from Germany. Pistorius also called on other countries to re-check their own stocks and determine what air defense assets they can transfer to Kyiv.

A separate problem remains the shortage of more modern PAC-3 missiles, which are needed primarily for intercepting ballistic targets. Germany is trying to expand their production. Last week it became known that Berlin is discussing with the United States the possibility of producing such interceptors in Europe.

Currently, PAC-3 is produced by the American company Lockheed Martin, so creating a European production line requires Washington's consent and resolving technology transfer issues. Germany is already participating in expanding production of older PAC-2 missiles: their licensed production should begin at the MBDA plant in Bavaria.

In early September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after a conversation with Merz, also said that Germany is preparing new air defense packages. The German government then confirmed its intention to continue military support for Ukraine, including assistance in the field of air defense.

The need for additional interceptors is growing amid intensifying Russian air attacks. The main shortage is associated precisely with missiles capable of hitting ballistic targets: cheaper air defense means and Ukrainian interceptor drones allow fighting a portion of drones, but cannot fully replace Patriot when repelling ballistic strikes.

Based on materials: Deutsche Welle, German government, Tagesschau