"Prevent Putin's Victory"... Germany to Support Ukraine with 'Modern Air Defense Weapons'

Chancellor Scholz: "Supporting IRIS-T Missile and Radar Systems with NATO Members"
Same Position Announced Right After US Declared Support for Advanced Weapons to Ukraine
Germany Seems to Strengthen Defense Capabilities Following Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Germany has expressed its intention to provide modern air defense weapons to Ukraine.

According to the dpa news agency on the 1st (local time), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced during a budget debate held at the Bundestag that Germany would support Ukraine with modern air defense weapons such as surface-to-air missiles and radar trackers.

Chancellor Scholz stated that Germany, together with member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), will provide Ukraine with the IRIS-T missile developed by Germany. He also mentioned additional support with radar systems capable of detecting the positions of Russian artillery.

He emphasized, "We must prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from winning (in Ukraine)," adding, "Our goal is for Ukraine to be able to defend itself and succeed in its defense."

Until now, Germany had not provided direct weapons support to Ukraine. This decision was made considering various issues, including disruptions to the import of Russian crude oil.

However, it is presumed that Germany took the same stance shortly after the United States announced it would provide advanced weapons to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Germany increased its annual defense budget to 100 billion euros (approximately 136 trillion Korean won) immediately after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and announced that it would exceed 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually.

Considering the increase in self-defense capabilities and weapons support to Ukraine, it appears that Germany's war-related policies, as a 'former Axis power' in World War II, are likely to change.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.