U.S. Secures 60 Gepard Anti-Aircraft Systems for Ukraine in $118 Million Deal

13 November, 2023 Cheetah PRTL (Gepard) SPAAG. Photo from open sources The United States bought 60 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns from Jordan for Ukraine.

De Telegraaf reported about this. These air defense systems will be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine within the framework of American military assistance. The U.S. government paid for these anti-aircraft guns £118 million.

Funds are allocated as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The U.S. Department of Defense signed a contract with Global Military Products in late May 2023.

Cheetah PRTL (Gepard).

Photo credits: The Tank Museum Bovington Camp, UK

The purchase of Gepard SPAAGs for Ukraine was officially reported on the Pentagon website. However, the exact number of anti-aircraft guns ordered was not disclosed. Under the contract, work on the preparation of air defense systems for shipment to the customer will be carried out in Jordan's territory.

According to current plans, the Ukrainian military may receive these installations by the end of May 2024.

Cheetah PRTL (Gepard) SPAAG. Photo from open sources

It is worth noting that previously these Gepard SPAAGs belonged to the Netherlands and, in 2013, were sold to Jordan. In the Netherlands, they were given the designation Cheetah PRTL (Pantser Rups Tegen Luchtdoelen).

The Dutch version of Gepard differs from the basic one in radar manufactured by Hollandse Signaalaparaten, HSA (at that time - a division of Philips).

Cheetah PRTL (Gepard) SPAAG. Photo from open sources

Cheetah PRTL SPAAGs to Jordan arrived within the 2014-2016 years. The total value of the contract was almost £28 million.

The Ukrainian military is already using Gepard anti-aircraft guns, which were transferred by Germany.

They strike Russian drones and cruise missiles, with whom the invaders attack important military and infrastructure facilities.