Bridge-laying tank Biber thumbnail Bridge-laying tank Biber thumbnail

German military aid to Ukraine — Week 5 / 2024

At the end of January, the German government once again made its latest military deliveries to Ukraine public on their website.

The most recent deliveries to Ukraine, which is bravely defending itself in the current Russian war of aggression, focused this time heavily on armoured vehicles.

These include 24 FFG APCs, 3 WiSENT 1 MC mine clearing tanks and 1 bridge-laying tank Biber. The industry supplied all the vehicles. In the case of the FFG APCs and the WiSENT 1 MC mine clearing tanks, these are newly produced vehicles manufactured by FFG in Germany.

A detailed list of all deliveries of the last two weeks, which the German government has made public.

  • 4 Bandvagn 206
  • 24 FFG APCs
  • 3 WiSENT 1 MC mine clearing tanks
  • 1 bridge-laying tank Biber
  • 14 mine ploughs
  • 4 border protection vehicles
  • 1 naval mine clearance system
  • 1 surveillance system for satellite communication
  • IRIS-T missiles for IRIS-T SLS launchers
  • 1,040 shells 155 mm artillery ammunition
  • 450 snow chains
  • 194,000 group module rations

At the same time, the delivery of 6 Sea King Mk41 multi-role helicopters with spare parts and additional equipment and 16 further mine ploughs was announced. However, at least in the case of the helicopters, this had already been announced in advance, so it came as no surprise.

Sea King helicopterImage: Bundeswehr
A Sea King Mk41 multi-role helicopter of the Bundeswehr

In addition to the armoured vehicles, two things in particular are very much in the spotlight when it comes to these deliveries. Ukraine is likely to have been particularly pleased about the IRIS-T missiles, which are used in the two IRIS-T SLS launchers supplied by Germany.

The approximately 1,000 artillery shells in the NATO calibre 155 are also likely to have attracted some attention. However, more in a negative sense. Ukraine is currently suffering from a serious shortage of ammunition and is therefore dependent on large deliveries from its partner nations.

Germany delivered over 10,000 shells to Ukraine in January. To fulfil its target of 230,000 shells of 155 mm ammunition, it would have to deliver around 19,170 shells per month. A lot more would therefore have to be delivered in the coming months, or otherwise the goal will not be achieved.

A naval mine clearance system has been delivered for the first time. However, it is not yet known exactly what it is. All I can say is that it was supplied via the industry and did not come from Bundeswehr stocks. So we should be curious and keep our eyes open. Perhaps this mystery will be solved at some point.


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