Germany Doubles Military Aid to Ukraine: €8 Billion to Strengthen Defense and Meet NATO Quota by 2024.
Germany plans to double its military aid to Ukraine next year, as reported by BILD. Instead of the previously planned €4 billion, now €8 billion will be provided, which is approximately $8.64 billion. This decision, according to information from the Ministry of Defense available to BILD, has already been made and is expected to be officially confirmed by the budget committee next week. This increase in funds means more weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.
Pistorius Originally Wanted €5 Billion
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the SPD had initially called for an additional sum of €5 billion. According to BILD, a sum of €4 billion will now be additionally allocated for the year 2024. Furthermore, €2 billion are planned for long-term armament contracts as so-called commitment appropriations.
Increase Affects NATO Quota
This increase in funds also affects Germany’s NATO quota. According to calculations by the ministry mentioned by BILD, Germany will now reach a quota of 2.1 percent of its gross domestic product for defense in 2024. This is notable, as Germany has not yet fulfilled its promise to spend at least two percent of its GDP on defense.
BILD also reports that Finance Minister Christian Lindner had originally planned only €4 billion in the federal budget for 2024 for military aid. However, almost all of this was intended for already committed projects, leaving only €120 million for new support.
Image: U.S. Secretary of Defense, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signs the Pentagon guest book prior to a bilateral exchange hosted by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 28, 2023 – 230628-D-PM193-4220, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no changes made)