The German military announced on February 2, 2017 that it has decided to replace its short-range air defense systems in order to improve NATO’s European defense. The decision comes as a relief to NATO allies who have become increasingly concerned about the gaps in air defenses following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. The procurement costs over the next ten years are expected to be 460 million euros, potentially reaching 3.3 billion euros by 2030. Reportedly, NATO wants Germany to contribute 10 firing units of very-short-range defenses, six firing units of short-range capabilities, and four firing units of counter artillery, rocket, and mortar defenses. Although details on the new defense equipment will not be decided until 2018, the ministry may add some 20 million euros to the 2017 defense budget to begin the modernization project.