Thanks to the US commitment, “Germany can initially support Ukraine with launchers and then with additional Patriot system components”, said German defence minister Boris Pistorius in a statement.

The Bundeswehr army will initially deliver additional Patriot launchers to Ukraine in the coming days, followed by additional system components to be handed over in two or three months.

In return, Berlin will receive new Patriot systems, for which it is providing the funding, from the US at an accelerated pace.

Kyiv’s needs for air defence have grown more urgent as Russia has intensified its nationwide aerial attacks this summer, and the Patriot systems have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles.

Germany has already delivered three of its Patriot systems to Ukraine and said today that sending the additional systems will not affect its contribution to the Nato defence alliance.