Germany and Ukraine have agreed to jointly develop an air defence system against ballistic missiles, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday.
"Several German companies are interested in this project," Pistorius said in Brussels, where NATO defence ministers and the so-called Ukraine Contact Group met.
He said the project could make an important contribution to security in Europe and Ukraine given Kiev's experience. "Our partnership is not a one-way street, and has not been for some time," Pistorius added.
Kiev's supporters have mobilized more military aid for the country's defence through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme, which NATO countries use to buy defence equipment from the United States for Ukraine.
The new British defence secretary, Dan Jarvis, said several billion US dollars were needed to procure 200,000 shells, 100 Patriot guided missiles, drones and other weapons. Pistorius said that Germany would contribute $400 million.
