Germany finalizes $770 mln military aid package for Ukraine

The German government has finalized a 700-million-euro ($770.28 million) military aid package for Ukraine, the defense ministry said on Tuesday, the first day of a NATO summit in Vilnius.

The package includes two Patriot launchers from Bundeswehr stock, 40 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 additional 1 A5 main battle tanks, as well as five Bergepanzer 2 tanks, the ministry said.

It includes an additional 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition and 5,000 rounds of 155 mm smoke ammunition, the ministry added.

The package “serves Ukraine’s priorities: air defense, tanks, artillery … with it, we are making an important contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s sustainability,” defense minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.