European nations have declared a plan to “surge” military support to Ukraine in an aid package led by Germany, Norway and the UK. The $23 billion in support will include “radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones,” the UK said. The group of nations, call the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, announced the plan after a meeting in Brussels on Friday.
Germany pledged around $12 billion in funding that stretches into 2029 and adds to their aid already in the distribution process. They will send “IRIS-T systems with missiles, PATRIOT missiles,” said Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov, who said he is “grateful to the people and government of Germany.”
The United States did not throw in any cash or aid in this new package of funding. UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said that the pledges for funding come from 51 different nations and represent “a record boost in military funding for Ukraine,” reported Breaking Defense.
Acting German defense minister said Boris Pistorius said, “This year, we will deliver additional air defense systems of different ranges, as well as guided missiles. We will continuously make available self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, as well as main battle tanks and ammunition to the Ukrainian land forces.”
“Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting and we will support,” Pistorius went on to say.
In an announcement from the UK Ministry of Defence, the nation said that the funds to Ukraine “will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry.” The war between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2022 when Russia invaded their neighboring nation.
“The security of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine, and a major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries,” the statement read.
“Today’s package, worth £450 million, includes £350 million from the UK from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.”
This Story originally came from humanevents.com