Germany to deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine in deal with US

FILE PHOTO: Soldiers stand during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to a military training area to find out about the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, at an undisclosed location, in Germany, June 11, 2024. Jens Buttner/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany said on Friday that it will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the U.S. that Berlin will be first in line to receive the latest systems in return.

Thanks to the U.S. commitment, "Germany can initially support Ukraine with launchers and then with additional Patriot system components," said German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in a statement.