Latest news with #Leopard1
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany pledges IRIS-T air defenses, tanks, shells in new aid package for Ukraine
Germany will provide four IRIS-T air defense systems, 15 Leopard 1 tanks, reconnaissance drones, and 100,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on April 11, according to N-tv. Pistorius said Germany plans to send more IRIS-T systems in the coming years and confirmed the upcoming delivery of 1,100 additional ground surveillance radars. The German assistance is also to include 120 MANPADS launchers, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 14 artillery pieces. Pistorius also confirmed that 30 Patriot air defense missiles have already been delivered, Interfax-Ukraine reported. The announcement coincided with a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, co-chaired by the U.K. and Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to participate via video link. Germany remains one of Ukraine's top military donors in Europe. On March 19, the German Finance Ministry confirmed that an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) would be allocated to Ukraine on top of the 4 billion euros ($4.36 billion) already earmarked for 2025. Berlin's latest package underscores continued European military backing for Kyiv amid growing uncertainty over U.S. commitments. Read also: 6 countries ready to send troops for Ukraine 'reassurance force' so far, AFP reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany announces new military aid package for Ukraine: it includes air defence systems
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that Germany's new aid package to Ukraine will include four IRIS-T air defence systems and 100,000 pieces of artillery ammunition. Source: European Pravda with reference to the German television news channel n-tv Details: Pistorius made this statement on the sidelines of a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein group) in Brussels. The package will also include 15 Leopard 1 battle tanks and reconnaissance drones. In addition, Pistorius spoke about the prospects of acquiring new IRIS-T systems in the coming years and the delivery of 1,100 additional ground surveillance radars. Background: The Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting is being held in Brussels on 11 April under the joint leadership of the United Kingdom and Germany. The previous meeting – the first since the change of US administration – was also held in Brussels on 12 February, chaired by the UK. At that meeting, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth declared that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is not a realistic goal and that the US does not consider NATO membership for Ukraine a realistic outcome of a negotiated war settlement. Previous Ramstein group meetings under the Joe Biden administration were chaired by the United States. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany delivers Gepard air defenses, shells, drones, other aid to Ukraine
Germany has provided three Gepard anti-aircraft systems with 10,000 rounds of ammunition, 24 mine protection vehicles, and other defense aid to Ukraine in its latest round of aid deliveries announced on March 17. Berlin is Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe, second only to the U.S. in terms of defense assistance provided. The new delivery included 5,000 155 mm artillery shells, 2,000 122 mm shells, 8,000 120 mm mortar shells, and ammunition for Leopard 1 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and IRIS-T air defense systems. Ukraine has also received fresh support in unmanned systems, including 50 Vector reconnaissance drones, 30 Gereon RCS tracked drones, and 30 drone detection systems. The latest tranche further included small arms, first aid kits, demining equipment, and border protection equipment. Germany initially allocated around 4 billion euros ($4.36 billion) in defense assistance to Ukraine in 2025. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz held up an additional 3 billion euros ($3.27 billion) proposed by his coalition partners, but his incoming successor, Friedrich Merz, pledged to push the package through. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Sudzha in Russia's Kursk Oblast We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany donates Gepard anti-aircraft systems, Vector drones and ammunition to Ukraine
Germany updated its list of military assistance to Ukraine on Monday 17 March, which included, among other things, Gepard anti-aircraft systems and drones. Source: European Pravda with reference to the updated list Details: The updated list of military aid from Germany to Ukraine includes 24 mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP), ammunition for the Leopard 1 main battle tanks and ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles, including for the MARDER infantry fighting vehicles. Ukraine also received three Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft systems and 10,000 rounds of ammunition for Gepard (the Gepard's ammunition load consists of 640 rounds). Germany provided Ukraine with missiles for the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence system, 5,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 2,000 rounds of 122mm ammunition and 8,000 rounds for the 120mm mortar. Ukraine's defence forces also received drones, including 50 VECTOR reconnaissance drones with spare parts. Additionally, Germany donated 30 tracked Gereon RCS drones and 30 drone detection systems. Furthermore, Ukraine received two WISENT 1 armoured mine-clearing vehicles, 100 portable mine-clearing systems and two mine ploughs, as well as laser rangefinders, infrared binoculars, vehicles, assault rifles and medical kits. Background: On 17 February, the German government updated the list of military assistance to Ukraine, announcing the provision of new equipment, drones and ammunition for various systems. On 14 March, it was reported that an agreement among key political parties in Germany regarding a large funding package could pave the way for additional military aid to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rheinmetall prepared to supply arms for possible Ukraine peacekeeping mission
German defense company Rheinmetall is prepared to supply weapons for a potential international peacekeeping mission in Ukraine following the end of Russia's war, the company's CEO, Armin Papperger, said on March 12, Deutsche Welle reported. Papperger said that Rheinmetall could provide "more than 2,000 items" for such a mission, including tanks, armored vehicles, electronic warfare systems, reconnaissance drones, and satellite technology for monitoring a demarcation line. Several European countries, including the U.K., France, Denmark, and Sweden, have previously expressed willingness to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine. The Washington Post reported on Feb. 17 that up to 30,000 European troops could be involved in the ceasefire monitoring mission. Papperger noted that the talks remain theoretical for now, with no concrete negotiations underway with the company. While U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Feb. 24 that Russian President Vladimir Putin would allow European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a peace deal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected the idea. Rheinmetall is one of Europe's largest arms manufacturers and a key supplier to Ukraine. Under German government contracts, it delivers 155 mm artillery rounds, Leopard 1 tanks, mortar shells, and surveillance drones. The company also opened a military vehicle repair facility in Ukraine in June 2024 and plans to build three additional plants in the country. Read also: UK, France lead talks among 37 countries on 'coalition of the willing' in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
