AMMAN, Jordan (AP) – Germany’s defense minister says her country is delivering millions of dollars’ worth of equipment to Jordan’s military to improve the kingdom’s border surveillance.
Jordan borders Syria and Iraq, where Islamic State extremists held large areas until being pushed back in recent months by a U.S.-led military campaign. Jordan is a key ally in the battle against IS.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen attended a handover ceremony near Jordan’s capital, Amman, on Sunday.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, right, and Jordanian General Mahmoud Freihat stand next to an exercise plane at Marka airport, Amman, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, prior to a handing over ceremony at. The package handed over included Mercedes-Benz Zetro off-road trucks, Mercedes Sprinter vans and GROB G 120TP training aircraft. (Michael Kappeler/Pool Photo via AP)
Germany is providing two training planes and dozens of military support vehicles to Jordan, worth a total of $22 million.
Von der Leyen says the equipment is meant to “improve mobility at the border,” as part of a plan to support Jordan.
She praised Jordan as an anchor of stability in a violence-wracked region.
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen walks past a portrait of Jordan’s King Abdullah II as she heads to a ceremony handing over equipment to Jordan, at Marka airport, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. (John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a ceremony handing over equipment to Jordan, at Marka airport, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. Germany’s defense minister handed over handed over 70 Mercedes trucks, 56 Mercedes mini vans and two training aircraft worth a total of $22 million to the Jordanian military during a visit to the kingdom. (John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen , third from right, and Jordanian Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mahmoud Freihat, second left, listen to their national anthems prior to a handing over ceremony at Marka airport in Amman on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. The package handed over included Mercedes-Benz Zetro off-road trucks, Mercedes Sprinter vans and two GROB G 120TP training aircrafts. ( John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, right, and Jordanian Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Mahmoud Freihat, center, attend a ceremony handing over equipment to Jordan, at Marka airport, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. Germany’s defense minister handed over handed over 70 Mercedes trucks, 56 Mercedes mini vans and two training aircraft worth a total of $22 million to the Jordanian military during a visit to the kingdom. (John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, left, shakes hands with Jordanian Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Mahmoud Freihat prior to a ceremony handing over equipment to Jordan, at Marka airport, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. Germany’s defense minister handed over handed over 70 Mercedes trucks, 56 Mercedes mini vans and two training aircraft worth a total of $22 million to the Jordanian military during a visit to the kingdom. (John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, stands next to an training plane at Marka airport, Amman , Jordan Jan. 14, 2018. prior to a handing over ceremony at. The package handed over included Mercedes-Benz Zetro off-road trucks, Mercedes Sprinter vans and GROB G 120TP training aircraft. (Michael Kappeler/ Pool Photo via AP)
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, stands next to an training plane at Marka airport, Amman , Jordan Jan. 14, 2018. prior to a handing over ceremony. The package handed over included Mercedes-Benz Zetro off-road trucks, Mercedes Sprinter vans and GROB G 120TP training aircraft. (Michael Kappeler/ Pool Photo via AP)
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, right, speaks with Jordanian Jordanian Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Mahmoud Freihat at her visit to the Marka airport , Amman, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. (Michael Kappeler/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, left, is greeted by Jordanian Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Mahmoud Freihat prior to a handing over ceremony at Marka airport in Amman on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. The package handed over included Mercedes-Benz Zetro off-road trucks, Mercedes Sprinter vans and GROB G 120TP training aircraft. (John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, center, and Jordanian Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff Mahmoud Freihat, left, listen to national anthems during a ceremony handing over equipment to Jordan, at Marka airport, Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. (John MacDougall/Pool Photo via AP)
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