Germany sets date for delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine

Specifically, Berlin is expected to hand over 15 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, along with 59,000 rounds of ammunition, to Kiev in July. This will be the heaviest weapon system supplied by Germany Ukraine ever since.

The statement was made after a phone call between German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and her Ukrainian counterpart Alexey Reznikov on May 20. Ms Lambrecht said Gepard is a “defensive weapon system” with remarkable deterrence power, to protect “critical infrastructure”. At the same time, the German expert will also train Ukrainian soldiers on how to operate Gepard.

The Gepard was designed in the 1960s, but the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) scrapped it in 2012 and replaced it with the Ocelot and Stinger missile system. Currently only Brazil, Jordan and Romania are still operating the used Gepard system.

German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Gepard. Photo: Reuters

In April, Berlin authorized the manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to deliver 50 Gepard self-propelled guns to Ukraine, at the expense of the German government.

“The Gepard system withstands attack helicopters and even infantry and light armored vehicles” – radio RT (Russia) quoted German media as saying.

Germany as well as some Western countries have begun to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict entering a new phase. However, German Chancellor Olaf Sholz insisted that Berlin should avoid direct military confrontation with Russia.

Moscow has criticized the US and the West’s continuous supply of weapons to Kiev, and warned that any foreign weapons shipments into Ukraine could become a legitimate target of Russia’s attack.