German Ministry of Defense confirms the delivery to Ukraine of 8 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft tracked armored vehicles, 3 Panzerhaubitz 2000, 3 MARS (Medium Artillery Rocket System) II multiple rocket launchers and ammunition. According to information published by the German Ministry of Defense, Germany has increased its funds for security capacity building to 2 billion Euros. These additional funds are primarily dedicated to Ukraine as well as German contributions to the European Peace Facility, from which the cost of military support measures for Ukraine can be reimbursed to EU member states.
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 (“tank howitzer 2000”), abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall in the 1980s and 1990s for the German Army. It is capable of a very high rate of fire; in burst mode it can fire three rounds in nine seconds, ten rounds in 56 seconds, and can—depending on barrel heating—fire between 10 and 13 rounds per minute continuously. The PzH 2000 has automatic support for up to five rounds of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). Replenishment of shells is automated. Two operators can load 60 shells and propelling charges in less than 12 minutes.
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is an American armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the United States and in Western Europe,[vague] along with more than 700,000 rockets. MARS II is a European variant of the M270A1 involving Germany, France, and Italy. The launchers are equipped with the European Fire Control System (EFCS) designed by Airbus Defense and Space. The United Kingdom provided this system to Ukraine in 2022, with additional to follow by Germany. The German defence secretary Christine Lambrecht announced the arrival of the vehicles they contributed on 26 July 2022.
The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard (anti-aircraft armoured fighting vehicle ‘Cheetah’) is an all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG). It was developed in the 1960s, fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics. It has been a cornerstone of the air defence of the German Army (Bundeswehr) and a number of other NATO countries. On 26 April 2022, the German government authorised Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to transfer 50 Flakpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles to Ukraine.[6][7] The first three Gepards arrived in Ukraine on 25th July 2022
"Die zugesagten Mehrfachraketenwerfer vom Typ Mars II und weitere drei Panzerhaubitzen 2000 sind geliefert. Wir halten Wort!", so Ministerin Lambrecht. Wir werden die ?? mit der Lieferung von weiteren schweren Waffen, Munition und Ausbildung in Deutschland unterstützen. pic.twitter.com/c536elFTwN
— Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) July 27, 2022
