Germany is preparing a large military aid package for Ukraine – mass media

Germany is preparing the largest defense aid package for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, European Pravda reports with reference to Spiegel. Berlin plans to strengthen the ground forces of Ukraine through the supply of armored vehicles, as well as to modernize air defense. The military aid package will comprise tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers and air defense systems with missiles for them.

Leopard 1 tank, Denmark.

Photo from open sources.

Citing German government sources, the publication reports that in the coming months, Germany intends to provide Ukraine with EUR 2.7 billion military aid.

Marder IFV in Ukraine, March 2023. Frame from the video

This is the largest assistance package that Germany has provided to strengthen the Ukrainian Defense Forces since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

The RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery system by the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann company.

Photo from open sources

According to the publication, this package provides for the transfer of 20 Marder IFVs and 30 Leopard 1 tanks, 18 self-propelled artillery system, the transfer of which was announced in 2022. Air defense of Ukraine is to be reinforced by four German IRIS-T-SLM air defense systems (12 launchers) and hundreds of guided missiles for this system.

The IRIS-T air defense system of the Ukrainian military. February 2023.

Ukraine. Photo credits: Ukrainian Air Force

Also, Germany plans to help with reconnaissance of enemy positions and for this purpose will transfer up to 200 reconnaissance drones. The Armed Forces of Ukraine will also receive transport: 100 protected combat vehicles designed to transport troops to the front, and more than 100 logistic support vehicles.

This military aid package may be announced as early as May 14, during the ceremony of awarding Volodymyr Zelensky with the Charlemagne Prize..

Production of shells at the Rheinmetall enterprise. Photo credits: thechronicle.com.au

As previously reported, the German arms concern Rheinmetall plans to receive a significant share of contracts from the EU for the production of shells for Ukraine.

The company announced the possibility of production of up to 600-700 thousand shells for Ukraine.