Germany will send a Patriot air defense unit to Türkiye in the coming weeks as part of NATO efforts to strengthen protection along the alliance’s southeastern flank, officials said.
Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, will establish a Patriot “Air and Missile Defense Task Force” that will work closely with the Turkish Armed Forces, the German Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany was taking on more responsibility within NATO, adding that the German Patriot unit and around 150 soldiers would replace a U.S. unit currently deployed in Türkiye.
“Our air force is doing great, internationally respected work,” Pistorius said. “With their professionalism, they will make an important contribution to protecting NATO airspace.”
The ministry said the German unit would operate under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense framework.
Under current plans, the mission will run from June through September 2026
