The Netherlands has announced a donation of 210 million euros ($224 million) to bolster Ukraine’s air defense against Russian attacks. A total of 150 million euros ($160 million) will be invested in the German-led air defense initiative, while the rest will go into the purchase of short-range air defense equipment to combat drones. Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said during a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting that air defense equipment and artillery ammunition are desperately needed in Ukraine, as the situation threatens to become critical.
The Germany-led air defense initiative, known as Immediate Action on Air Defence, aims to source long-range air defense systems such as the Patriot from both NATO and non-NATO countries. Additional air defense systems being sought for the initiative include the SAMP/T, NASAMS, HAWK, IRIS-T, and S-300. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was quoted as saying that many countries have Patriot systems but may not want to deliver directly, and the Netherlands can buy from them and deliver to Ukraine.
The initiative was announced as Ukraine struggles to fend off increasing Russian attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure. Germany announced an additional third Patriot for Ukraine earlier this month, while an additional fourth IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system is set to arrive in Ukraine in weeks.
