Germany, France, And UK Announce New Air Defense Deliveries to Ukraine

Germany announced the expedited delivery of the Iris-T air defense system (Wikimedia Commons).

In an effort to protect Ukraine from Russian aerial attacks, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom announced new deliveries of air defense systems between October 11 and 13. The decisions were a response to renewed Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities in recent days.

Russia has intensified missile attacks against Ukrainian cities following an explosion on an important bridge connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland on October 8. The retributive attacks have targeted civilian areas and killed several dozen people. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to deliver more aerial defense systems at the G7 meeting on October 11.

European leaders had planned deliveries before the onset of Russia’s current bombing campaign, but they accelerated the process and announced new shipments in light of the recent attacks. The announcements preceded a NATO meeting on October 11 to discuss an integrated European air defense system. 

Germany announced the delivery of the first of four Iris-T air defense systems that are designed to protect entire cities from air attacks. The delivery was earlier than previously expected, although Chancellor Olaf Scholz first promised to deliver the systems in June. 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock praised the decision to deliver more weapons and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to “quickly strengthen Ukraine’s air defense” in a tweet following the announcement of the new shipments. Baerbock cited attacks against Ukrainian cities as the grounds for Germany’s commitment. 

French President Emmanuel Macron promised more deliveries in a TV interview on October 12. Macron did not give specific details about the type of systems that would be provided, but only promised to ship radar and air defense systems. France has struggled with the perception that it has not done enough to help Ukraine since an international rating revealed that French support for Ukraine ranks below what other countries have given.

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced the donation of new defense missiles that will protect Ukraine against Russian cruise missile attacks. The Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile system that Britain will deliver is compatible with American defense systems that the United States has also promised to Ukraine, according to Wallace. Wallace also stated that the new British aid comes as a response to Russian “indiscriminate strikes on civilian areas.” 
Ukraine’s European allies have supported the country since the beginning of the Russian invasion; however, in recent months, they appear to have wavered in their commitment. The new deliveries, which European leaders promised following fierce Russian aerial bombardment, demonstrate a renewed commitment to the defense of Ukraine as the war continues to escalate.