Latest news with #Panzerhaubitze2000
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian troops reportedly face issues with some German weapons
Ukrainian front-line units are struggling with several German-supplied weapons systems due to technical vulnerabilities, limited spare parts availability, and complicated maintenance, the newspaper Spiegel reported on April 10, citing internal German military documents. The analysis references a January lecture in Delitzsch by the deputy military attache at the German Embassy in Kyiv, attended by around 200 junior Bundeswehr officers. According to the transcript, while some German systems have earned praise in Ukraine, others have proven ill-suited for the rigors of high-intensity war. The Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, described as "outstanding" in performance, was said to be so technically sensitive that its "suitability for combat is seriously questionable." The Leopard 1A5, though labeled "reliable," is reportedly deployed more as improvised artillery due to its inadequate armor. Meanwhile, the more advanced Leopard 2A6 often cannot be repaired on the front due to its costly maintenance and logistical demands. Ukrainian forces have also faced constraints with air defense systems. The IRIS-T, while effective, suffers from limited availability and high ammunition costs. The U.S.-made Patriot missile system, another critical component of Ukraine's layered air defense supplied mainly by Germany, has reportedly struggled in the field due to aging MAN carrier vehicles, with spare parts increasingly hard to procure. Read also: 'Putin is pure evil' — Trump's spiritual advisor on Russia's war against Ukraine The Gepard anti-aircraft systems, however, stood out as the most successful German weapon deployed in Ukraine. Decommissioned before the war and reactivated or sourced from abroad, the system was described in the lecture as "the most popular, effective, and reliable" among Ukrainian troops. Sources within the Bundeswehr acknowledged that the attache's remarks reflect battlefield realities. German weapons, though often technically advanced, were deployed in Ukraine under extreme conditions that have accelerated wear and tear. Rapid training provided to Ukrainian troops in Germany often left little time for in-depth technical instruction, compounding logistical challenges. With repair centers far from the front and Ukraine's infrastructure strained, field maintenance has become a serious obstacle. Despite these challenges, Germany remains Ukraine's top military donor in Europe. As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to advocate for reduced U.S. involvement in European security and explores restoring relations with Russia, Germany's role is expected to expand further. Germany's incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has already pledged to rearm the country and boost defense spending, including through a 500 billion euros ($544 billion) infrastructure fund to modernize the Bundeswehr. Read also: Germany's military rebirth is Europe's best bet against Putin We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
German defence minister: Working on replacing US aid for Ukraine
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday assured his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov that Berlin would work towards replacing frozen US aid for Kiev together with international partners. It comes as EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss ways to increase support for Ukraine after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced it was suspending critical military and intelligence support as relations remain strained following a blow-up between the countries' two leaders at the White House. Pistorius, who met Umerov in the German capital, also said his Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the conservatives are discussing a €3 billion ($3.25 billion) aid package for Ukraine as part of exploratory talks to form a government. Should they be able to agree on funding, the package, which was proposed a while ago, should enable the delivery of further air-defence systems using guided missiles, Pistorius said. Germany would also be able to provide additional artillery systems, namely the Panzerhaubitze 2000 armoured howitzer and the new wheeled, self-propelled howitzer RCH 155, said the minister, who continues to serve in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed. Pistorius said Germany and Britain were planning to take a leading role when it comes to supporting Ukraine. He said he and his British counterpart John Healey had decided to "continue the Ukraine Contact Group together as co-leaders," adding that the situation was "serious and requires decisive and level-headed action." The Ukraine Contact Group is an international forum aimed at coordinating military aid to Ukraine. It was founded following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 upon the initiative of then US defence secretary Lloyd Austin. Umerov thanked Germany for its support.
