The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that his country will launch an initiative aimed at supplying Ukraine with “thousands of long-range drones” to aid in its fight against the Russian invasion.
Pistorius stated during a meeting with Ukraine’s allies in London that Germany is “enhancing Ukraine’s capabilities to weaken the Russian war machine in remote areas, providing effective defensive strength.”
He elaborated that under the new “Deep Strike Initiative” Germany plans to sign several contracts with Ukrainian companies that will total up to €300 million (approximately $350 million).
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned in May, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that Berlin would assist Kyiv in developing long-range weapons capable of striking targets within Russian territory.
Merz indicated at that time that the defense ministers of both countries would sign a memorandum of understanding to produce long-range weapon systems, and he noted there would be no restrictions on the range available to Kyiv.
During a meeting today, Tuesday, of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, comprising 50 nations, British Defense Minister John Healy affirmed that the United Kingdom will continue sending essential attack drones to support Ukraine’s defense.
He added that “over the next 12 months, the UK will fund the provision of thousands of long-range, one-way drones manufactured in the UK, reinforcing our century-long partnership with Ukraine.”
This announcement follows an agreement reached between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Zelensky to collaboratively produce military drones during the Ukrainian president’s visit to the UK in June.
Additionally, in January, London announced it would lead, alongside Latvia, an international coalition aimed at sending 30,000 drones to Ukraine through the “International Fund for Ukraine,” which is spearheaded by the UK.
The fund, which receives donations from Ukraine’s allies and partners, is responsible for procuring priority military equipment, including air defense systems and artillery. Healy reported on Tuesday that the fund has so far raised £2 billion (about $2.7 billion).