Berlin, Germany - In a significant move that could reshape European defense and security dynamics, Germany is set to provide substantial military support to Ukraine, potentially surpassing the United States as its most valuable ally. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed on November 12 that the government plans to seek approval from the Bundestag to double military aid to Ukraine from €4 billion to €8 billion for the year 2024. This decision, if approved by Germany's ruling SPD-Greens-FDP coalition, would cement Berlin's position as a key leader in providing real military assistance to Ukraine.

As of now, Germany ranks second among Ukraine's military aid providers. From late January 2022 to July 2023, Germany has either promised or delivered €17.1 billion worth of military aid, while the United States has committed or delivered about €41.1 billion during the same 18-month period. However, the potential €4 billion spike in German military support in 2024 would nearly double the assistance provided by Ukraine's next most deep-pocketed ally, the United Kingdom.

If this increased aid is realized and there is no substantial increase in US military support to Ukraine, Germany's defense assistance would be roughly twice that of the US by the end of 2024. Moreover, when considering the per capita contribution, Germany would provide more than double the amount compared to the US.

The German commitment to Ukraine's defense comes as part of a larger shift in the country's security and defense spending priorities. Germany is embarking on a planned €100 billion program aimed at rearming and revitalizing its national army, the Bundeswehr, which has faced challenges since the end of the Cold War. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that German defense spending would be in the double-digit range into the next decade, with Germany expected to reach NATO's 2 percent of total GDP defense spending target for the first time in 2024.

Germany's military assistance to Ukraine has evolved over time. Initially hesitant to provide significant military support, Berlin's deliveries mainly consisted of personal medical equipment, body armor, ambulances, and helmets. However, in Spring 2023, Germany began transferring various combat vehicles and weaponry, including Marder and M-113 combat vehicles, Dingo armored cars, Leopard tanks, PzH 2000 and Zuzana self-propelled howitzers, and Mars rocket launchers.

Notably, German arms deliveries, such as the Gepard mobile anti-aircraft cannon, IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile systems, and Patriot air defense systems, have been highly effective in protecting Ukrainian airspace and cities from Russian attacks.

Although Defense Minister Pistorius and Chancellor Scholz did not provide specific details on the weapons to be funded by the increased aid, reports suggest that Ukraine has expressed a particular interest in acquiring the Taurus cruise missile. The German version of this medium-range, precision-guided munition has shown remarkable effectiveness in recent strikes against the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

While Germany's commitment to Ukraine has received praise, there has been a growing call within the country for the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The center-right CDU/CSU faction has urged the Bundestag to vote on the matter, while the ruling coalition's junior members, the Greens and the Liberals, mostly support the transfer.

German Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze emphasized the importance of both military assistance and reconstruction aid to Ukraine, highlighting the significant destruction caused by the conflict. Schulze stressed the need to provide essential resources like electricity, water, and shelter to Ukrainians affected by the war.

If Germany's ruling coalition approves the proposed increase in military aid, Berlin is poised to become Ukraine's top supporter, rivaling the United States in terms of assistance. This move signals a significant shift in Germany's role in European defense and underscores its commitment to Ukraine's security.