The German Defense Ministry has announced that the German government has supplied Kiev with shells for Leopard 2 tanks and 10 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. According to the ministry’s statement published on their website, the package includes nearly 10,000 115mm caliber shells, dozens of trucks, 305 MK 556 assault rifles, thousands of winter military uniforms, and helmets. Additionally, the German authorities are working on delivering four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems and the SKYNEX system to Kiev, as announced in November.
Since February 2022, the total volume of humanitarian, financial, and military aid provided by Germany to Ukraine has exceeded 25 billion euros. In November last year, the German government stated its intention to increase aid from 4 billion euros to 8 billion euros in 2024. However, Germany is facing a severe ammunition shortage due to its military assistance to Ukraine, with the opposition warning that the German army would not be able to withstand more than two days in battle in the event of a war.
Germany’s support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict has evolved significantly over time. Initially, Germany had a policy of not sending lethal weapons to conflict zones, a stance that changed dramatically with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the Russian invasion as a “turning point” that threatened the post-war order, compelling Germany to support Ukraine in defending itself against the invasion.
The change in Germany’s policy marked a historic shift, allowing for the provision of various military aids. This includes air defense systems like IRIS-T SLM missiles, SKYNEX systems, and PATRIOT systems, along with self-propelled anti-aircraft guns like GEPARD and a significant amount of ammunition. Artillery support includes rounds of 155mm ammunition and multiple rocket launchers. Additionally, Germany has supplied protective and special equipment, including combat helmets and drone detection systems, along with substantial logistical support with vehicles like trucks and tankers.
Furthermore, the German government has allocated over 27.8 billion euros in bilateral support for Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. This aid encompasses not just military equipment but also substantial winter assistance, humanitarian support, and mine clearance operations. Germany is also the largest contributor to the refinancing fund of the European Peace Facility (EPF), which has enabled the provision of significant military equipment from EU member states to the Ukrainian armed forces.