Special equipment, ammunition, 10 Leopards: what's in Germany's new defense aid package for Ukraine

This is stated in the updated list of the German government.

Specifically, the recent military aid transfer includes:

• 10 LEOPARD 1 A5 main battle tanks (earlier 20 units were provided).
• 14 additional multipurpose tracked vehicles, Bandvagn 206 (BV206), in addition to the previously transferred 46.
• A WISENT 1 demining tank, bringing the total number in the Ukrainian Armed Forces to 11.
• 5 Carrier Warthog tracked medical vehicles.

Additionally:

• 3 more Border Guard Service vehicles were delivered, adding to the previous 230.
• 4 8x8 HX81 heavy-duty semi-trailers and an equivalent number of semi-trailers (previously 75/70 respectively).
• 16 Zetros trucks, supplementing the existing 200.
• 3 miscellaneous vehicles (truck, minibus, off-road vehicle), contributing to the total of 300 previously delivered by Germany.
• 13 MAN TGS trucks, an increase from the previous 12.

Defense Express reported that the focal point of this assistance lies in the provision of tanks. Ukraine has received an additional 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks, bringing the total number handed over by Germany to 30. Notably, during the transfer of the second batch of 10 tanks in August, concerns arose regarding unexpected wear and tear issues, prompting Ukraine to reportedly decline acceptance, leaving the vehicles in Poland. The status of the resolution of these problems remains uncertain.

In terms of artillery support, Germany has transferred a significant amount of 155-mm artillery ammunition, totaling 19,530 units. However, the new package contains only 1,020 units, underscoring the ongoing challenges in this area for European defense. This is highlighted by the recent acknowledgment from the EU that it may not meet its commitment to supply Ukraine with the planned 1 million shells by March 2024.

It has been disclosed that Germany intends to fortify Ukraine's air defense by supplying two more IRIS-T SLM medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems, adding to the three systems already in service with the Ukrainian Air Force.