Germany to Relocate Ukrainian Military Repair Hub from Slovakia
18 December, 2024 Panzerhaubitze 2000. Photo credits: FABIAN BIMMER/REUTERS Germany has decided to move the military equipment repair center for Ukraine, which was established in Slovakia, to its own territory.
This was reported by N-TV. It is noted that the decision was made due to problems in the organization and operational processes at the Slovak facility. According to N-TV, the intention to move the repair center to Germany by December 31, 2024, was confirmed by a spokesman for the German Ministry of Defense.
He emphasized the "changing framework conditions" and, in some cases, the extremely challenging repair work required for damaged vehicles.
German ATF Dingo armored vehicles in Ukraine, March 2023
For example, he said, there were differences in the interpretation of European customs rules. This likely affected the supply of necessary spare parts.
At the same time, the German Defense Ministry assured that the repair of military equipment provided to Ukraine remains guaranteed. The military equipment repair center for the Armed Forces of Ukraine began operating in Slovakia in December 2022. It focused on restoring equipment damaged or worn out during hostilities, including Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers, Dingo armored vehicles, MARS II rocket systems, and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.
The center was established as part of an intergovernmental agreement between Germany and Slovakia. The repair base is organized by the arms manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
Marder 1A3 IFV at the Rheinmetall Test Centre EZU. Photo credits: Bild
As a reminder, the German concern Rheinmetall has set up the repair and maintenance of Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in Ukraine, which are in service with the Ukrainian army.
In December 2024, the company received an order to supply 20 more Marder 1A3s to Ukraine as part of German military assistance.
In total, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have already received 140 of these infantry fighting vehicles.