An MoD spokesman said: “Germany has not denied access to its airspace as the UK did not submit a request, there has been no dispute between the UK and Germany on this issue.”
British diplomatic sources in Berlin said the route was chosen for operational reasons, including a standing policy of avoiding flying weaponry over heavily populated areas.
Germany ruled out export of weapons to Ukraine
While Germany has publicly pledged its support for Ukraine against any Russian aggression, it has ruled out allowing its own defence sector to export weapons to Kiev over fears it could “inflame” the situation.
Angela Merkel’s government twice intervened to veto the delivery of weapons Ukraine had already paid for, including a US shipment of rifles and anti-drone systems from Lithuania.
Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, insisted her country would stick to its ban on German weapons exports on a visit to Kiev this week.
“Our stance is not only well known, but historically well founded,” Ms Baerbock said.
But she has not commented on whether the new German government plans to continue Mrs Merkel’s policy of obstructing its allies from arming Ukraine.
Britain sends Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons (NLAW) to Ukraine
In service with the UK, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg, the Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) is designed to be used by non-specialist troops after minimal training.
The missile is best used against tanks, where it detonates just above the top of the vehicle, but can be fired directly at vehicles, bunkers and buildings.
The weapon is not guided but instead tracks the speed and direction of the target for a few seconds prior to launch to predict where the tank will be.
The soldier firing the NLAW will set the distance to the tank being targeted. Magnetic and optical sensors on the missile then confirm that other vehicles such as previously destroyed tanks or civilian cars on the flight path are not the intended target, in which case the weapon will not function.
Only when the sensor data on the missile confirm it has reached the intended target will the warhead detonate, at about 1m above the target.
