BERLIN --- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius traveled to the second meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in a month. The so-called 'Ramstein format' preceded the meeting of NATO defense ministers on February 14 in Brussels. Pistorius said that support for Ukraine is now particularly about ammunition and training.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in Brussels that Germany would do everything possible alongside its partners to continue to support Ukraine in the future - continuously and adapted to the situation, as in the past twelve months. In the EU, Germany is at the forefront of support for Ukraine overall - and in second place after the USA and together with Great Britain. In addition to training Ukrainian soldiers, the minister described the supply of ammunition for Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia as "the" challenge at the moment.
Own production again immediately
Germany has now taken a big step forward. The ammunition for the anti-aircraft gun tank Gepard, which is used by Ukraine in the fight against Russia, will in future be produced in Germany. Minister Pistorius was able to announce the signing of a contract with manufacturers in the armaments industry for this order in Brussels. The Gepard is doing outstanding service in Ukraine, especially when it comes to defending against drones. Germany has so far delivered 32 tanks of this type to Kiev.
The capabilities of the anti-aircraft gun tank are extremely appreciated by the Ukrainian soldiers, the minister reported from personal conversations during his recent visit to Ukraine. That is why the news about Gepard ammunition production in Germany is good. "We will immediately resume our own production at Rheinmetall for Gepard ammunition," says Pistorius. This production will start immediately. Germany wants to support Ukraine with 300,000 rounds of Gepard ammunition.
War is in its second year
Minister Pistorius reported on his impressions of his visit to Kiev a week ago at the Ramstein format chaired by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin. The talks there with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov and with soldiers really touched him. In ten days, on February 24, 2023, the second year of Russia's open aggression against Ukraine will begin. This is a war with many victims and much suffering, said the minister.
Training of sergeants
Against this background, in addition to the ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, the training of Ukrainian soldiers is now the focus of support services. This is of central importance. Germany alone has so far trained 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers specifically on weapon systems - such as the systems MARS, Patriot, Marder, Panzerhaubitze 2000, Iris-T Surface Launched Medium Range missiles or currently also on battle tanks Leopard 2 A6 at the Armored Training School in Munster.
In addition to the training of the Ukrainian soldiers on the weapon systems, Pistorius emphasized the training of the sergeants. They are "the soul of an army's leadership skills," said the minister. That is why the training of sergeants is of paramount importance. "And we're way ahead there, too," explained Pistorius. Training and supply of ammunition would have to go hand in hand, only then did both achieve their full effect.
Look at the situation in Ukraine
In Brussels, Pistorius also looked at the current situation of the war in Ukraine. The offensive of the Russian troops increases. Russia wants to regain the initiative in Donbass. Germany is reacting to this with a package of armored forces, the delivery of state-of-the-art Leopard 2 A6 battle tanks from the Bundeswehr in combination with Marder infantry fighting vehicles and refurbished Leopard 1 battle tanks from industrial stocks.
Strengthen air defenses
In addition, Ukraine's air defenses need to be further strengthened in order to protect Ukrainian airspace from Russian attacks on the country's critical infrastructure. So with Iris-T Surface Launched Medium Range anti-aircraft systems, Gepard anti-aircraft gun tanks and Patriot air defense systems. In addition, the spring package with fittings and equipment is on its way to Ukraine and the repair hub in Slovakia has started work, the minister said.
Aid for Turkey
Finally, Pistorius looked at the severe earthquake in Turkey, which has now claimed 40,000 lives. Pistorius expressed his dismay and condolences to his Turkish counterpart. He turned his attention to the aid deliveries from Germany. The Bundeswehr transports relief supplies to the crisis area with A400M air transporters from the Luftwaffe.
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