Commission persists in progressing with the execution of the plan.
Collaboration on the horizon: Germany and Ukraine team up to produce long-range weapons
Germany and Ukraine are set to join forces in creating advanced weapon systems, with a focus on long-range missiles, drones, and rockets. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed this potential partnership during talks held in Kyiv.
Germany will contribute substantial funds to this joint venture, while Ukraine will leverage technology developed from its military experience. Moreover, the federal government plans to provide approximately 9 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year, as Pistorius emphasized.
Trust plays a crucial role in the success of this endeavor, according to Zelenskyy, who believes that Germany's credibility is influential for the project's realization. In turn, the German government hopes to gain valuable technology for their armed forces, the Bundeswehr.
A mutual exchange of knowledge
"The nature of the war has changed. Initially, we were focused on jets and tanks. However, it has now moved towards electromagnetic warfare and drone combat more than ever," Pistorius remarked. "We can learn much from each other, which is why it's constructive that we collaborate on production as well," he added.
In essence, Germany is ready to fund the development of long-range weapon systems (Long-Range Fire Systems) in Ukraine. The initial systems are set to become operational within a few months. Meanwhile, Ukraine recognizes that its defense industry contains 30 billion euros' worth of unused capacities annually, as revealed by Zelenskyy.
The collaboration discusses a mix of production in Ukraine and Germany, covering Ukrainian long-range weapons, drones, and rocket technologies, along with cruise missiles and other long-range capabilities.
A stern warning from Moscow
Upon arriving in Kyiv, Pistorius denounced the escalating Russian air attacks on Ukraine, describing them as extremely intense and threatening—with a vast number of cruise missiles and drone assaults. He went on to state that this spectacle represents a clear message sent by Moscow, indicating no genuine intention to pursue a peaceful resolution at present; instead, Russia seems intent on targeting civilian areas in Ukraine with persistent harshness.
His visit demonstrated continuity in the federal government's unwavering support for Ukraine. Pistorius expressed, "We'll need to determine how future German and European support will manifest, in areas such as industrial cooperation and beyond."
Intensified attacks from Russia
Despite global efforts to bring about peace, Russia has responded to these appeals with even more aggressive drone and rocket attacks. The most extensive drone attack since the inception of the conflict was reported earlier in the week. According to Ukrainian reports, 479 Shahed-type combat drones, 4 hypersonic Kinzhal-type missiles, 14 diverse cruise missiles, 2 Ch-31 air-to-ground missiles, and 4 decoy missiles were deployed in these assaults.
Although Zelenskyy's statement suggested that these intensified attacks are not a reaction to the recent coup, the trend points to Russia's indifference towards resolving the conflict peacefully.
Moving forward with vigilance
Previously, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. shifted its focus away from Ukraine, raising questions about continued support. Consequently, Pistorius and British Minister of State for Defence Procurement, John Healey, have stepped up to lead military aid initiatives. At a meeting in Brussels, Pistorius rekindled efforts to garner international support, with a focus on maintaining Ukraine's air defense capabilities and electronic warfare encompassing the protection of Ukrainian communications, data collection, and disruption of Russian communications. Additionally, drone defense is a key area of concern. Despite the strategic ambiguity surrounding the specifics of arms deliveries, a significant change in Germany's military support for Ukraine is evident.
- In light of the evolving nature of warfare, particularly in the realm of electromagnetic warfare and drone combat, the collaboration between Germany and Ukraine on long-range weapon systems (such as missiles, drones, and rockets) is seen as a productive exchange of knowledge.
- As tension escalates in Ukraine, Russia's continued aggressive drone and rocket attacks, as recently demonstrated by the extensive drone attack earlier in the week, serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing politics of war-and-conflicts, underscoring the necessity for increased general-news coverage of the situation.
