The federal government hesitated for a long time when it came to supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine. Two months after the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, there were the first commitments from Berlin – but it still took many weeks until the first delivery. The Defense Committee of the Bundestag will deal with the question on Wednesday afternoon. An overview:

Cheetah anti-aircraft tank

At the end of April, the federal government promised a heavy weapon system for the first time. She gave the go-ahead for the delivery of 30 decommissioned Gepard anti-aircraft tanks. They come from the armaments company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), but first had to be repaired. The first eight Gepard tanks have been delivered since late July. According to original plans, the 22 others were to follow by the end of August.

Industry in Germany trained Ukrainian soldiers on the weapon system. The problem was the ammo. Initially, only around 60,000 shots were available, which was often criticized as insufficient due to the high rate of fire of the anti-aircraft guns. A Norwegian manufacturer should now deliver more.

Panzerhaubitze 2000

At the beginning of May, Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) also announced the sale of seven 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Bundeswehr stocks. A few days later, the multi-week training course for Ukrainian soldiers on howitzers mounted on a tank chassis began.

The howitzers were then delivered in the second half of June – as the first heavy weapon system from Germany. Three more copies followed at the end of July, bringing the total number to ten. The Panzerhaubitze 2000 can shoot 30 to 40 kilometers and fire up to ten shells per minute.

MARS II multiple rocket launcher

At the beginning of June, Germany also announced that it would be disposing of three MARS II multiple rocket launchers from Bundeswehr stocks. They were delivered at the end of July. This includes several hundred rockets with a range of around 80 kilometers. The USA has taken over the training of the weapon system, which brings an important strategic advantage for Ukraine due to its long range. Washington has delivered a similar system to Ukraine with HIMARS missile launchers.

Air defense system IRIS-T SLM

On June 1, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promised to provide the state-of-the-art IRIS-T SLM air defense system. According to him, it can protect “an entire city from Russian air raids.” The Bundeswehr does not have this system, Iris-T SLM is said to be supplied by the German manufacturer Diehl. However, it will probably only be available for Ukraine in months – we are talking about autumn.

Tracking radar Cobra

Scholz also announced the delivery of the modern Cobra locating radar on June 1st. It can be used to reconnoiter the positions of enemy artillery positions up to 100 kilometers away. It is to be delivered via the industry.

Bridge laying tank Biber

At the end of July, the German government also announced the delivery of 16 Biber armored bridge-laying vehicles. With them, the Ukrainian troops could “overcome water or obstacles in combat,” the German Defense Ministry said. The first six tanks are said to be delivered this year, starting in the fall. Ten more systems will follow next year.

Panzer ring exchange via NATO partners

Since April, the German government has also relied on indirect tank deliveries via eastern NATO partners. Countries such as Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Greece were supposed to deliver weapons from the Soviet era to the Ukraine and receive modern replacements from Germany. There is no information about a ring exchange that has already been completed.