Germany will supply Kyiv with half a dozen radar systems to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities which face repeated barrages of Russian drone and missile attacks.
Moscow has continued to bombard Ukraine's cities with drones and missiles, often targeting civilian infrastructure such as energy facilities.
Ukraine's Air Forces said its air defense units destroyed all 13 Shahed-type drones that Moscow had launched overnight Friday from Russia's Belgorod Oblast which borders the country. Russia also attacked Ukraine with four surface-to-air guided missiles while drones attacked the eastern city of Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, Kyiv said.
German company HENSOLDT will send six more TRML-4D radars to Ukraine to strengthen the country's air defense by the end of the year which the firm told Newsweek was part of a package of aid from Berlin worth over 100 million euros ($107 million).
The firm, which also supplies the German Armed Forces, said that the radars can detect and track drones, low-flying cruise missiles and aircraft, including helicopters, within a radius of up to 160 miles. "Our radars are urgently needed by the Ukrainian air defense," said HENSOLDT CEO Oliver Dörre in a statement.
It comes as the German government has also said that it will send another Patriot air defense system to Ukraine as soon as possible. Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian defense ministry for comment.
According to German government figures, Berlin has sent eight TRML-4D radars to Ukraine so far, with another one being announced on April 29 as part of further military assistance.
Despite the additional German assistance for Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced criticism for saying Berlin cannot supply the Taurus KEPD-350 missile, which Kyiv has long called for. Scholz has said its supply would draw Germany into the conflict and would require tactical assistance from Berlin that contravenes NATO members' efforts to contain the war in Ukraine.
However, Berlin has remained a key ally for Ukraine against Russian aggression, having delivered or earmarked €28 billion ($30 billion) worth of military assistance to Ukraine, according to the latest German government figures.
The tranche announced this week includes at least 10 Marder combat vehicles, an air surveillance radar, as well as rounds of ammunition for Leopard 2 battle tanks.
It comes as Russian forces continue to build on momentum in the eastern front, following the capture of Avdiivka in the Donetsk oblast. Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Deputy Chief Major General Vadym Skibitsky told The Economist that Russia is likely to launch an offensive at the end of May or the beginning of June.
He said Moscow is looking to take advantage of Ukraine's ongoing materiel and manpower shortages before an American military aid package just passed by U.S. Congress is set to arrive.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Brendan Cole is a Newsweek Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. His focus is Russia and Ukraine, in particular ... Read more
