Blankets, weapons, winter hats
What the federal government has sent to Ukraine so far
01/25/2023, 3:45 p.m
After a long back and forth, Ukraine will now receive battle tanks from Germany after all. These are not the first German military vehicles to be used to defend against Russian attackers.
The knot has burst: after much hesitation, the federal government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz is now ready to equip Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. The decision is flanked by the commitment of other countries to also strengthen Ukraine’s defenses with heavy artillery. This should enable the armed forces on the ground to repel the Russian attackers more effectively.
According to information from n-tv, the German side was talking about a total of 14 Leopard 2 tanks. This was officially confirmed by the federal government on Wednesday afternoon. These are not the first German military vehicles to be sent to Ukraine in support: In one weekly updated list The Federal Government provides information on the military aid that has already taken place and that is planned. These are either funds from the Bundeswehr’s inventory or direct deliveries from industry, which are financed by the federal government.
Note: You can also use the drop-down menu in the top left of the graphic to find an overview of the planned weapon and equipment deliveries.
The support provided to date ranges from hand grenades and rocket launchers to blankets and heaters to heavy equipment. For example, 12 new border patrol vehicles that have already been deployed to Ukraine were added last week. However, two air surveillance radars are still in the preparatory phase.
There is still no mention of planned main battle tank deliveries on the website of the Federal Ministry of Defense. Even after the official letter of intent on Wednesday, the preparation of the tank delivery could still take some time. It is unclear when the Leopard-2 hoped for by Ukraine will be added to the list of military aid to Ukraine. The overview is usually updated on a Wednesday evening.
Recovery tanks were already delivered last year
The list of previous military support services had grown particularly clearly at the beginning of the year. According to government information, the Ukrainian military had received 36,400 woolen blankets and 168 mobile heaters, among other things – in addition to the winter clothing that had previously been delivered. The entire catalog makes it clear which materials are particularly urgently needed in the current, wintry phase of the war.
Furthermore, the Ukrainians obviously need vehicles that can operate in difficult terrain and contested areas. From Germany, for example, they received heavy-duty articulated lorries, pick-up trucks with rocket launchers, ambulances and mine clearance equipment. Last year, Germany also sent a total of 15 Bergepanzer 2 to the Ukraine and 14 Panzerhaubitzen 2000, which the federal government had found in cooperation with the Dutch military. In addition to reconnaissance drones, defense missiles and ammunition, the list also includes a whole range of medical and technical equipment and accessories.
Some of the equipment and materials come from Bundeswehr stocks. In the meantime, however, more and more items are marked as direct deliveries from industry. This applies in particular to weapon systems and heavy equipment, some of which first had to be ordered and produced.
Last year, the federal government provided two billion euros as part of the so-called upgrading initiative. Most of these additional funds to support “crisis-prone countries” are to flow directly or indirectly into aid to Ukraine.