The first Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in Rhineland-Palatinate to be trained on the Panzerhaubitze 2000. Starting today, they are to be trained at the artillery school in Idar-Oberstein.
The future crews of the weapon system and technical experts landed in Rhineland-Palatinate on Tuesday, as the German Press Agency (dpa) learned from government circles in Berlin. To defend against the Russian attack, Germany and the Netherlands want to hand over a total of twelve self-propelled howitzers to the Ukraine.
The Panzerhaubitzen 2000 are each operated by five soldiers. The number of soldiers planned for the training is therefore more than 60. There are also technical experts and translators.
Around 40 days of training
According to information from the dpa, the soldiers had started in Poland and were flown to Zweibrücken Airport with a Bundeswer transport plane. According to earlier information, the training should last about 40 days, or less depending on the level of knowledge of the soldiers. You have to learn how to drive the self-propelled howitzer, shoot it and troubleshoot its operation.
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Long range hits possible
Practitioners explain that with the Panzerhaubitze 2000, combined with reconnaissance results, the Ukrainian troops can deliver significant strikes at longer distances. Supporters of deliveries point out that Europe’s future order could be decided in the Ukraine war. A Russian victory must therefore be prevented. Others warn that Germany could be dragged into the war with such supplies.
There was a long dispute in Germany about the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine. The Bundestag finally passed a joint motion the ruling traffic light parties and the CDU/CSU opposition.
The Bundeswehr artillery school in Idar-Oberstein.
Photo Hosser