Germany announces new military aid package for Ukraine 

This is reported by CNN with reference to the German Defense Ministry.

The new package worth EUR 700 million will include two Patriot launchers, 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, as well as 5 Bergepanzer 2s from industrial stocks or industrial repair.

Ukraine will also receive 20,000 artillery rounds and 5,000 155-mm smoke munitions.

In addition, Germany will send a LUNA drone system and a package of mine countermeasures.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the arms package is intended to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia.

"By doing so, we are making an important contribution to strengthening Ukraine's resilience," Pistorius said.

Read all about the first day of the NATO summit in Vilnius here.

Germany’s aid for Ukraine

Germany has been providing military assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war. In particular, Ukrainian soldiers are receiving German armored vehicles, including Leopard 2 tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles.

On March 24, Germany handed over machine guns, engineering vehicles, and anti-drone systems to Ukraine.

Already in April, the country sent another military aid package to Ukraine, which included trucks, reconnaissance drones, and ammunition.

On May 14, Germany announced a new EUR 2.7 billion aid package for Ukraine, which included 4 IRIS-T-SLM anti-aircraft missile systems, 30 Leopard tanks, and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. On May 23, the country handed over a TRML-4D air defense radar, Vector reconnaissance drones, and more.

In June, Ukraine received a promise of another batch of aid for the frontline, including ammunition for Leopard, 66 armored personnel carriers, and about 100 pieces of special equipment.

Later, the German Ministry of Defense ordered 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine from Rheinmetall. The infantry fighting vehicles are likely to be delivered to the country by the end of July.

On July 7, Germany announced a military aid package that includes, among other things, engineering equipment and anti-drone weapons.