Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has called on the country’s arms manufacturers to stop making excuses and accelerate production as Berlin ramps up defence spending to modernise its military. Pistorius criticised delays in weapons deliveries and said the industry must meet rising demands, particularly for ammunition, drones, and tanks, amid rising security threats from Russia.

Germany Rules Out More Patriots and Taurus Missiles for Ukraine

In his remarks ahead of talks in Washington with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Pistorius reaffirmed that Germany would not provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defence systems from its own stocks. He stressed that Germany has already supplied three of its original 12 Patriots to Kyiv, while others are deployed in Poland or under maintenance. "We only have six left in Germany," Pistorius said, warning that any further reduction would undermine Germany’s NATO obligations.

Instead, Pistorius proposed a plan to buy two Patriot systems from the U.S. specifically for Ukraine, noting that Washington appears open to supplying more systems through NATO allies. President Donald Trump also indicated the U.S. is willing to provide such systems via allied purchases.

Pistorius equally dismissed the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Germany’s Taurus long-range cruise missiles despite renewed requests from Kyiv following waves of Russian air attacks. "We definitely can’t give any more," he said, underscoring Germany’s limited stocks and the need to maintain its own deterrence posture.

Long-Term Defence Spending and NATO Commitments

Germany’s rearmament plans include boosting its annual defence budget to €162 billion by 2029, marking a 70 percent increase. Pistorius said this investment is vital to deliver on Berlin’s pledge to make the Bundeswehr Europe’s strongest army. Long-term procurement contracts will cover tanks, submarines, drones, and fighter jets, with advance payments offered to stimulate industrial capacity.

Pistorius highlighted Germany’s permanent brigade in Lithuania as a symbol of Berlin’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank. He reaffirmed Germany’s readiness to defend its allies, stating plainly that German troops are prepared to fight if Russia attacks: “They know exactly what their job is.”