Ukraine: No combat aircraft shipments expected from Germany

At the US military base Ramstein in Germany, defence ministers hold talks Friday on further military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine's air cover is also expected.

The 54 countries' defence ministers have recently met in Ramstein in January to discuss defence aid to Ukraine. The expectations then were great: Germany will announce the delivery of Leopard fighter tanks, won't it? But Defence Minister Boris Pistorius did not have much to say then. For that reason I gave the order this morning to make an assessment of Leopard tanks reserves and various types”, said Pistorius. The criticisms were high by gun supplies supporters. Parliamentary Commission Director Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman (FDP), even referred to Germany's failure then. But soon thereafter came the promise to send Leopard tanks.

Today (21.04) US Defence Minister Lloyd Austin greets colleagues in Germany again at the meeting of the contact group for Ukraine, which includes NATO countries and other allies. A lot has been done eventually”, says Anton Hofreiter, who heads the parliamentary commission for Europe in Bundestag. “Ukraine could resist Russian attacks only because of great support, especially from contact group countries in Ramstein, and particularly from the US”, says the green politician. At the same time, it should have been said that more must have been done, according to Hofreiter.

Even according to CDU defence policy Roderich Kieseweter, Germany is not part of the promoters of military support. That's why Ramstein's double effect is important. The US “Forca and a necessary pressure on Germany to be participating. According to CDU politician, it was a wise American decision to place Ramstein's format in Germany.

No combat aircraft shipments expected from Germany to Ukraine

Green politician, Hofreiter and CDU, Kisseweter are among those politicians that require more pace in the Ukraine's weapons supply. But neither do they expect the promise of warplanes from Germany to come to Ramstein today. This has no support for Germany. Because Germany is not ready to supply from its reserves with outdated Tornado or even Eurofaster, when no one has been trained for that.” The Netherlands and Great Britain can play a role in the issue of sending combat aircraft. With the offer for F16 American fighter aircraft, or even the US itself, which has so far been reserved in this direction.

Germany Provides Support With Air Defense Systems

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is expected to stress Friday in Ramstein that Germany does everything in the direction of air defence. So this week in Ukraine, the second system “Iris-T” has arrived, an air defense that Germany itself does not own. Even the long-standing air defence system Patriot has gone to Ukraine this week. For German politician Anton Hofreiter, the priority has something else “The most urgent is for Ukraine to be properly equipped with ammunition.” Without new ammunition insurance initiatives and promises of the arms industry, this will not be possible, according to Hofreiter.