The budget committee of the German Bundestag approved the purchase of additional ammunition for the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns, the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the Puma infantry fighting vehicle.
About this writes Ukrinform with reference to the Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany.
That is, it is expected to provide for the Bundeswehr’s own needs, to provide additional support to Ukraine, and to renew the stocks of ammunition that have already been transferred to Kyiv.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine fundamentally changed the framework of security policy. This necessitates the purchase of additional ammunition for the armed forces of Germany, as well as for the armed forces of Ukraine,” the German Ministry of Defense said.
Ukraine actively uses the German Panzerhaubitz 2000 and the Leopard 2 main battle tank. The need for 155 mm artillery shells for the howitzer and 120 mm for the tank is also covered with the help of Germany.
The budget committee, in particular, approved the purchase of a significant amount of 155 mm high-explosive ammunition for Ukraine. They can also be used with other NATO artillery systems, such as the M777. The order will be completed within the next two years. Another part of the approved proposal is the purchase of 155mm high-explosive shells for the Bundeswehr this year to replace those given to Ukraine. It is planned to allocate about 128 million euros for this.
The Leopard-2 tank’s 120 mm gun also required more ammunition than planned. The amount previously agreed with the defense industry is planned to be significantly increased. Ammunition is used both to build up the Bundeswehr’s ammunition stockpile and to support Ukraine. The order will also replace ammunition for main battle tanks already delivered to Ukraine. The expenditure in the amount of 381 million euros will be partly financed from the defense budget, partly from the funds of the federal government’s modernization initiative.
The committee’s decision also prescribes the purchase of ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle (30 mm automatic cannon) and 7.62 mm training ammunition for MG3 and MG5 machine guns.
In addition, Germany will provide Ukraine with 64 more guided missiles as soon as possible for Patriot systems.
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Source: TSN