According to Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, the Bundeswehr has about 100 howitzers in its inventory, of which about 40 are operational. Targets could be engaged at a range of more than 40 kilometers. The howitzer was successfully used in missions in Afghanistan in 20 in conjunction with air support. It is designed to follow motorized formations and provide them with fire support. The howitzer can travel at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37.3 m/h), has a road-range of about 420 kilometers, and can ford waters up to a depth of about 1.5 meters. ![]() However, it can immediately assume a new camouflage position after firing to avoid return fire. Unlike the Leopard battle tank, the self-propelled howitzer 2000 must halt to fire, making it clearly inferior to a tank in a direct confrontation. The companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall supplied the first howitzers to the Bundeswehr in 1998 and continue to produce more advanced versions. Targets can be destroyed at a distance of 30 to 56 km, depending on the ammunition. This is an armored self-propelled 155-mm caliber artillery gun, whose 60 rounds can be fired at a rate of three rounds every ten seconds. ![]() Ukraine was initially promised 50 Gepards, though there is reportedly a shortage of ammunition so far. According to Johann Wadephul, defense spokesman for the conservative Christian Democrats, training takes at least six months, which is why Wadephul proposed sending the Leopard 1 tank or the Marder infantry fighting vehicle instead. Romania is the only NATO country that still uses the Gepard, and the German models must first be made operational again.Īnother problem for its deployment in Ukraine may be that the anti-aircraft tank places high demands on the crew due to its complex electronics as well as radar and fire control systems. But in those countries, the Gepard was retired about 20 years ago, and the last one was decommissioned in Germany in 2012. What makes it relevant for a mission in Ukraine is that the weapon was developed, among other things, to counter armored combat helicopters such as the Soviet-Russian Mil Mi-24 "Hind." The Gepard was introduced in 1976 and was long a cornerstone of the German military's air defenses, as well as the Dutch and Belgian armies. The Gepard has a range of about 550 kilometers (340 miles) on the road and can ford bodies of water without special additional equipment. However, the Gepard would not stand a chance against a battle tank because of its relatively small-caliber guns. This means that the Gepard can be used as both a defensive and offensive weapon. It can be used against aircraft and helicopters at altitudes of up to 3,500 meters (11,500 feet), but also against lightly-armored ground targets such as infantry vehicles and transport tanks. Washington’s reported promise on 24 February to deliver a significant number of its own Abrams tanks appears to have broken the deadlock.Īn official US announcement on delivering Abrams is expected in the coming days.The Gepard (German for "cheetah") is an anti-aircraft gun, or flak tank, with twin 35-mm guns. Germany has tried to tie the supply of Leopards to a wider coalition that would supply other tanks, including US Abrams – a tank viewed by experts as being less suitable for the war in Ukraine because of its heavy consumption of fuel. The supply of main battle tanks had been seen as problematic because of their much more obviously offensive capabilities. ![]() It prefers a multilateral approach on arms supply to Ukraine rather than being seen to be moving unilaterally.Īlthough Germany has supplied a large amount of equipment to Ukraine, including armoured cars, it has also been wrestling with its post-second world war tradition of anti-militarism. Germany’s position on sending heavy weaponry has been conflicted. Chart of Leopard 2 inventories of European and Nato countries Why the delay?
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