Germany and the United Kingdom are jointly working to find additional air defense assets for Ukraine amid insufficient supplies of American Patriot systems and interceptor missiles. Proposals for other partner countries are planned to be prepared by the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, which will take place on November 17.
This was stated by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a briefing on November 2.
According to Pistorius, supplies of American Patriot systems and interceptor missiles remain insufficient to meet the needs of Ukrainian air defense. Therefore, Berlin and London intend to more actively involve other partners in finding additional capabilities to protect Ukrainian airspace.
The main task is to identify available air defense assets and agree on further steps by allies before the Ramstein meeting. The effort concerns seeking additional support, not an already approved new supply package.
The next, 37th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is scheduled for November 17, 2026, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. According to the official Alliance announcement, the meeting is convened by Germany and the United Kingdom.
Ukraine's need for additional air defense assets remains especially acute due to ongoing Russian missile attacks. In particular, Patriot systems and corresponding interceptor missiles play a key role in protection against ballistic threats.
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly drawn partners' attention to the need to accelerate missile deliveries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reported delays in certain decisions by the American side that affect Ukrainian air defense provision.
Meanwhile, on October 30, the United States approved the potential sale to Ukraine of 500 PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles for Patriot systems worth approximately $2.1 billion. Funding is expected from Ukraine's partners. However, the sale authorization itself does not mean immediate delivery of the entire agreed quantity of missiles.
General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of NATO forces in Europe, previously stated that arms deliveries under PURL packages funded by European countries continue. Thus, statements about insufficient aid volumes do not mean a complete halt of American supplies.
At the previous Ramstein meeting on September 8, Germany announced the transfer to Ukraine of additional PAC-2 missiles from Bundeswehr stocks and an increase in AIM-9 missile deliveries. Berlin also continues support for Ukrainian air defense with IRIS-T systems and ammunition.
The United Kingdom, for its part, announced the allocation of £100 million for the procurement of air defense assets, including Patriot missiles, through the PURL mechanism.
The new German-British plan is intended to complement already agreed support measures. Specific types of weapons, possible volumes, and timelines for additional supplies have not yet been announced.
Based on: briefing by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, NATO, UK Ministry of Defence
