Germany Announces Military Assistance to Ukraine, From MIG-29 Spare Parts to Ammunition
Berlin - Germany has announced for the first time the number and types of weapons, ammunition and other military aid that it has or is preparing to deliver to Ukraine . Released on Tuesday local time on the official German government website, the data begins with a brief clarification.
The records state that the list includes contributions from German military supplies, as well as weapons purchased directly from German manufacturers and paid for by Berlin. The statement also detailed that by 2022, a total of €2 billion (USD2.1 billion) will be allocated from the German budget for these deliveries, and to fund the country's contribution to the European Peace Facility (EPF).
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The EPF is an off-budget instrument of the European Union aimed at enhancing the Union's ability to prevent conflict, build peace and strengthen international security. According to the document, the EPF can be used to refund EU member states for the support they provided Ukraine.
Quoted from Russia Today, Wednesday (22/6/2022), among the lethal weapons Berlin has supplied to Kiev so far are 3,000 Panzerfaust 3 portable anti-tank rocket launchers, 500 US-designed Stinger and 2,700 Strela portable anti-aircraft missiles. Soviet-designed. In addition, 100 MG3 machine guns, 14,900 anti-tank mines, 50 bunker destroyer rockets for rocket launchers, 16 million rounds of ammunition for small arms, and 100,000 hand grenades have been delivered.
As for non-lethal military assistance, 23,000 combat helmets, 178 armored and 30 armored vehicles, first aid kits and other medical supplies, as well as spare parts for Soviet-designed MiG29 fighter jets were provided by Germany to Ukraine.
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The list of items Berlin is preparing to ship features some of the heavy weapons that Kiev has long demanded from its Western allies. A German official noted in the document that for security reasons, they will not disclose any additional details and dates until the delivery of this weapon system is successful.
Among the items to be delivered to Ukraine are seven self-propelled armored howitzers, 54 US-designed M113 armored personnel carriers sourced from Denmark, 30 self-propelled Gepard anti-aircraft guns with ammunition, one IRIS air defense system- German-made T SLM, three US-made M270 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), along with missiles and 10,000 artillery shells as well as radar and anti-drone weapons.
Germany along with a number of other EU member states, the US, UK, Canada and Australia have provided Ukraine with weapons since the start of Russia's offensive against the country in late February. Unlike the US and the UK, Germany has so far stopped sending heavy weapons to Kiev. Even though Berlin gave the go-ahead for this shipment in late April, the hardware still doesn't appear to be making its way to Ukraine.
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Media reports cited, among other things, the lack of suitable ammunition as the reason for the delay. The Ukrainian government is increasingly expressing its impatience and frustration with Germany.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Andrey Melnik, the ambassador to Berlin, have repeatedly rebuked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his government for their failure to deliver the promised weapons.
Russia has repeatedly condemned arms shipments to Ukraine by its Western allies, claiming that it will not change the course of the conflict, but will only prolong it. Officials in Moscow have also warned that the weapons could eventually fall into the hands of terrorists and criminals elsewhere.