"Ramstein": Germany And Britain Are Strengthening Ukraine's Air Defense
- 8.09.2026, 22:02
Berlin and London announced new military aid packages and called on other countries to follow their example.
Berlin will provide Ukraine with additional missiles for its Patriot systems, and London will allocate 100 million pounds to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. This was officially announced at the opening of the 36th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), which took place via video conference on Tuesday, September 8, according to DW.
The UDCG, co-chaired by Germany and the United Kingdom, includes about 50 countries. Ukraine was represented at the meeting by its new defense minister, Yevhen Khmara.
Berlin: Transfer interceptor missiles from your own stockpiles to Ukraine
“I have decided to urgently transfer PAC-2 interceptor missiles from Bundeswehr warehouses to Ukraine. And I call on all UDCG members to review their own stockpiles and make similar deliveries,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the opening of the meeting. He acknowledged that it is “not easy for European countries to strike a balance between their own security needs and urgent support for Ukraine.” “But please, if you’re in doubt, make the decision in favor of Ukraine,” Pistorius urged his partners.
According to him, strengthening air defense is Ukraine’s “most urgent need.” Since Russia is advancing very slowly on the front lines, it is trying to destroy Ukraine’s economy and critical infrastructure, Pistorius noted, adding that Russian airstrikes will intensify as winter sets in. “That is why Ukraine is in a race against time, as winter approaches. And Ukraine’s preparations for winter are the highest priority; this requires decisive and immediate action on our part,” the German defense minister stated.
He also reported that, in addition to the RAS-2 interceptor missiles, Germany will increase deliveries of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks. It will also continue supplying IRIS-T air defense systems and their missiles. According to Pistorius, Ukraine plans to order several thousand more IRIS-T guided missiles, which will be financed through an EU loan to support Ukraine.
Germany will also continue to supply drones and “fund several tens of thousands of long-range artillery shells,” which will be procured for Ukraine through a British consortium specializing in artillery and air defense.
London has allocated 100 million pounds for interceptor missiles
During the opening of the session, British Defense Minister Wes Stretting officially announced the allocation of 100 million pounds as part of the PURL program “for the rapid delivery of interceptor missiles.” Streetting also stated that the UK remains committed to supplying Ukraine with 120,000 drones this year. According to him, more than 25,000 drones have already been delivered, and the remainder are expected to arrive in Ukraine by early winter.
The head of the UK’s defense ministry also assured that his country continues to supply Ukraine with large-caliber artillery ammunition. According to him, in July, London delivered the one-millionth shell to the Ukrainian front. “Tens of thousands more will arrive shortly thanks to funding from our friends in Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden,” Stritting said.
Kyiv: The defense budget deficit must be covered by November
Ukraine’s main problem today is a shortage of missiles for air defense systems, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara. He reported that Ukraine, “with the help of partners and thanks to an EU loan, is signing contracts for the delivery of about a thousand missiles for the Patriot system.” “However, most of these missiles will not begin to be delivered until the coming years. Therefore, we are asking you today to supply us with missiles from your stockpiles in exchange for future, more advanced missiles under our contracts,” Khmara told the partners.
He specifically emphasized the priority of supplying air-to-air missiles and man-portable air defense systems to counter Russian drones, particularly jet-powered drones and “Shahed”-type drones. Khmara reported that Ukraine is developing less expensive means of intercepting such drones, which are already being tested in combat conditions.
In addition, Khmara called on partners to make the “necessary financial decisions” to provide military support to Ukraine by November, “so that we can see results on the battlefield as early as this winter.”
According to him, of the 70 billion euros in defense funding pledged by partners during the NATO summit in Ankara this year, Ukraine has received or has confirmed commitments for 62 billion. However, according to Kyiv’s estimates, Ukraine’s additional defense funding shortfall amounts to approximately 23 billion euros.
NATO Secretary General: Delays in Aid to Ukraine Cost Human Lives
Support for Ukraine is of the utmost urgency because delays cost human lives, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “Today, I will call on all countries to provide assistance to Ukraine. (…) In my view, we have no other choice,” the Secretary General said.
He noted that Kyiv needs supplies of air defense systems, drones, and long-range munitions. According to him, Russia is adapting to waging war against Ukraine: it is using more and more North Korean missiles and jet-powered drones. “To overcome all these challenges, Ukraine needs our support,” Rutte said.
Washington: Europe must be prepared for a protracted war
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby stated that Europe must continue to support Ukraine while simultaneously building up its own defense capabilities.
“We must be prepared for a protracted conflict and for the fact that Ukraine’s needs will persist in the coming months and years,” Colby said, adding that allies must also prepare for “other possible unforeseen circumstances.” According to him, these realities make support for Ukraine even more important for Europe, which must accelerate its own rearmament.
Colby urged European countries to continue purchasing weapons for Ukraine through the PURL mechanism and to plan for long-term production, which would simultaneously strengthen Ukraine and Europe’s defense industrial base. “But words aren’t enough. We need to commit real money and production capacity,” the U.S. official stated.