Germany has committed to providing an additional ten Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks (MBTs), three Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles, 15 protected transport vehicles, up to 20 protected medical vehicles and an additional Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.
The announcement came shortly before the Ukraine Defense Group (UDCG) meeting on October 11, with the German commitments coming from existing Bundeswehr stocks. The equipment, which is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks, is part of a “winter package” that will help sustain Ukraine as it continues its fight against Russia.
In addition, Germany will deliver further IRIS-T systems in October: a third IRIS-T SLM with medium-range guided missiles and a second IRIS-T SLS for short-range, also with guided missiles, according to the country’s announcement on October 10. Federal Ministry of Defense or BMV for short. The package was valued at around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).
“With this new ‘winter package’, we are further increasing the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces in the coming months,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
A number of contracts for 155mm artillery ammunition have also been announced in recent weeks by German industry, with the aim of helping to maintain the supply of Ukrainian weapons.
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In February this year, the Dutch Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed that the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark have cooperated to refurbish and supply 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine.
The Leopard 1A5 MBT is the predecessor of the Leopard 2 MBT used by a number of European troops. Leopard 2 MBTs have also been supplied to Ukraine, but in fewer numbers than the numerous stocks of 1A5 versions.
The winter shift seems to prioritize artillery and 155mm
As Ukraine begins to prepare for worsening winter weather that will likely halt its ongoing counteroffensive, the focus of military equipment support is also shifting to providing the artillery and ammunition needed to hold the line until Spring.
Attending in person at his first UDCG meeting on October 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for continued support for his country, in a week where news headlines had shifted from the European war zone to a potentially new, bloody conflict in the Middle East.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said during a UDCG press briefing on October 11 that the US would be able to meet the support requirements of both Ukraine and Israel.
Austin said pledges from other UDCG members included additional 155 mm Caesar howitzers from France, as well as “155 mm artillery guns.” from the UK.
The UK announced on October 11 its latest package that includes new air defense systems, among other equipment, but made no mention of 155mm guns in its latest round of supplies to Ukraine. The UK committed earlier this year to providing 24 AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine as part of a wider package of heavy armor being sent to Ukrainian forces.
When contacted, the UK Foreign Office said Army Technology that no AS90 platforms were included in the recently announced package.
The AS90 self-propelled gun is a staple of the British Army, having been in service since 1992 and seeing active service in the Iraq War in 2003. Of a prototype 179 delivered to the UK by the manufacturer, only 89 are believed to remain in service .
Read the original at Defence247.gr
