Ukraine, Germany Sign €8.5B in Defense Deals, Merz Pledges More Air Defense Support

Kyiv and Berlin have agreed on joint weapons production, signing 15 contracts worth more than €8.5 billion ($9.5 billion), with a primary focus on air defense missiles and advanced drones.President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the agreements following a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Sunday, Oct. 4.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The deals cover a range of defense priorities, including strengthening Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, protecting energy infrastructure, and countering Russian drones.What the new agreements entailKey areas of cooperation include the development of small missiles, radars, and ground-based robotic systems. The package also includes the FREYJA project and an expansion of German production capacity for ammunition for the Patriot air defense system.Zelensky said the Ukrainian defense orders would provide work for German companies while significantly strengthening the defense industries of both countries.“Germany is helping us during this war, and now Ukraine is placing defense and other orders that will create opportunities for German companies. This will make a significant contribution to Germany’s economy.”The agreements were announced during Merz’s unannounced visit to Kyiv, which came as Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, Der Spiegel reported.Merz arrived by special train alongside German Minister for Economic Affairs Katharina Reiche and a 10-member delegation of business and defense-industry executives. Other Topics of Interest India Moves to Broker Black Sea Deal Between Russia and Ukraine New Delhi says its contacts with Moscow and Kyiv cover shipping safety, grain and energy exports and possible non-attack arrangements. Speaking at Kyiv’s central railway station, Merz stressed that European security was directly tied to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia.“If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” he said.Merz also reaffirmed Berlin’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, saying Kyiv could “continue to count on our help” as Russian attacks intensify ahead of the heating season.According to German government officials cited by Der Spiegel, Merz plans to guarantee the rapid delivery of 1,000 newly developed interceptor systems designed to destroy jet-powered Shahed drones.The visit came days after Merz described Ukraine’s air defense as its “weakest point” and said Germany was working with European partners to assemble additional military support ahead of the European Council summit in Brussels on Oct. 15-16.Merz has repeatedly argued that continued military support for Ukraine is essential to European security.In a recent speech in Münster, he warned that a peace dictated by Russia would destabilize Europe, trigger new refugee flows, and leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian pressure.His visit also came amid growing political tensions at home. Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine and calls for the resumption of Russian gas imports, has made significant electoral gains, including strong results in recent state elections. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.