German defence contractor HENSOLDT has secured a contract worth over 340 million euros ($399 mn) to supply radar systems for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, the company reported on 24 July.

The order includes TRML-4D high-performance radars and SPEXER 2000 3D MkIII short-range radars as part of the Near and Very Short Range Air Defence System commissioned by the German Armed Forces.

“Our high-performance radars are urgently needed by Ukrainian air defence,” HENSOLDT CEO Oliver Dörre said. “A number of radars have been protecting Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war of aggression. We are proud to be supplying further systems. The radars are extremely important for protecting citizens.”

Ukraine first received the TRML-4D radar in October 2022, with an initial delivery of four units integrated into their IRIS-T air defense systems. Additional deliveries followed, including another four TRML-4D radars in June 2023, and six more units are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2024 as part of a major contract with HENSOLDT. 

The TRML-4D radar operates on AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology and can detect and track approximately 1,500 targets within a 250-kilometre radius. The system identifies and classifies cruise missiles, drones, aircraft and helicopters.

SPEXER radars provide surveillance across various ranges for automatic detection and classification of ground, sea and low-flying air targets. The SPEXER 2000 forms part of Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 cannon-based air defence system and is deployed in German artillery installations and qualified air defence systems.

According to HENSOLDT, several of their radar systems have been operational in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. The company maintains decades of experience in air defence radar systems and continues developing technologies in this sector.

The radar delivery represents part of Germany’s broader military support package for Ukraine’s defence against Russian forces.

The US State Department has approved the sale of two military assistance packages to Ukraine totaling $322 million, the Pentagon announced on 23 July.

The approval covers $172 million in HAWK Phase III missile system support and $150 million for Bradley infantry fighting vehicle restoration services.

According to Pentagon press releases, the Ukrainian government requested the purchase of goods and services for maintaining HAWK missile systems. The $172 million package includes spare parts for HAWK systems, missile complex repairs, testing and auxiliary equipment, storage containers and related spare parts storage equipment, spare parts for MIM-23 HAWK missiles and missile repairs, plus additional logistics and program support elements.

The second package addresses Ukraine’s request for equipment and services to restore Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, along with technical assistance and training for Ukrainian military personnel. This component carries a $150 million price tag, Pentagon officials said.

US officials stated the packages will enhance Ukraine’s capacity to address current and future threats.

“Ukraine will not have difficulties implementing these goods and services into its armed forces,” the Pentagon press service reported.

The approval comes weeks after President Donald Trump confirmed on 14 July that the US will provide Ukraine with weapons worth “billions of dollars.” According to Trump, European NATO allies will purchase and distribute the equipment, including up to 17 Patriot air defense systems currently being prepared for shipment to Ukraine.

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that Washington should “share the burden” of arms deliveries to Ukraine rather than expecting European allies to fund American weapons purchases.

“We welcome President Trump’s announcement to send more weapons to Ukraine, although we would like to see US to share the burden. America and Europe are working together,” Kallas said after a Brussels meeting of EU foreign ministers on 15 July.

NATO maintains that Europe now contributes the majority of weapons flowing to Ukraine, countering Trump’s characterization of burden distribution. 

According to Kallas, “If you promise to provide weapons but say someone else will pay for them, then you’re not actually providing them.”

Trump also offered to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles as part of a broader $10 billion NATO-backed military aid package.

However, Ukrainian military intelligence noted that Ukraine lacks the necessary launch platforms such as strategic bombers or combat ships to effectively deploy these missiles. 

Previously, Trump had emphasized supplying only defensive weapons and was cautious about escalating the conflict with Russia. However, growing frustration with Russian President Putin’s rejection of peace efforts and intensifying Russian attacks on civilians appears to have changed his stance.