BERLIN, June 25 (DPA/EP) –
Germany intends to provide Ukraine with another 45 Gepard, or Cheetah, anti-aircraft tanks by the end of the year in its defensive fight against Russia.
The plan was announced by the head of the German Defense Ministry’s Ukraine Situation Center, Brigadier General Christian Freuding, in the Sunday edition of Die Welt newspaper in comments seen in advance by dpa.
A total of 34 Gepards have been delivered and 15 more will be added in the coming weeks. “In addition, we want to deliver up to another 30 Gepard tanks by the end of the year in cooperation with the United States,” Freuding explained.
The general sees air defense as a key weak point in the Ukrainian army’s current counteroffensive. “We are doing what we can. But despite all this, does Ukraine have enough air defense and air defense? Clearly not!”
In addition to Gepard tanks, IRIS-T SLM air defense systems are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capability. According to Freuding, these have “nearly 100 percent” success rates. Two of them have already been delivered. “Two more will follow this year, then four more in 2024.”
The lesson of the war in Ukraine can be “summed up in one sentence,” he has said: “We need armed forces ready for war.”
