As of: 09/19/2022 5:02 p.m
Ukraine will receive another four self-propelled howitzers from Bundeswehr stocks. This is happening at the request of the government in Kyiv, said Defense Minister Lambrecht. The howitzers had proven themselves in battle.
Germany plans to provide Ukraine with four more Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery pieces. The Federal Ministry of Defense explained that the guns in question were used and repaired by the Bundeswehr, which should now be handed over to Ukraine “despite the tense own material situation”. This was made possible by talks with industry about an early delivery of overhauled guns from the army’s repairs. The delivery will be initiated “immediately” and will also include an ammunition package.
“The Panzerhaubitzen 2000 delivered by Germany and the Netherlands have more than proven themselves in combat,” said Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht. “This increases the number of these high-performance guns supplied by Germany to 14.” The Bundeswehr is also training Ukrainian soldiers to use self-propelled howitzers. The federal government emphasized that Ukraine had expressed the desire for more howitzers.
Modern artillery piece
The Panzerhaubitze 2000, manned by three to five soldiers, is a wheeled artillery piece mounted on a tank chassis with great firepower and range. Depending on the ammunition used, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 can shoot 30 to 40 kilometers.
Experts regard it as one of the most modern howitzers in the world and can fire up to ten shells per minute. Ukraine also received such guns from the Netherlands.
The first examples were delivered to Ukraine in June after the training of Ukrainian soldiers on them was completed. According to the Bundeswehr, these guns have been “intensively used” since then and are no longer fully operational. The weapon systems probably need urgent maintenance and possibly repairs.
Federal government against going it alone
Ukraine has also demanded main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers from Western countries such as Germany, which troops could use in advances and recapture areas and which are built for direct combat use.
Infantry fighting vehicles are used to transport soldiers as safely as possible to the combat area and to support them in battle. So far, no NATO country has delivered western-style main battle tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz always emphasizes that Germany will not go it alone on this issue.