German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country has transferred thousands of newly produced ammunition for Gepard anti-aircraft self-propelled guns to Ukraine.
Details: The department noted that the construction of a production line for the production of ammunition was previously successfully completed within an ambitious time frame, which made it possible to carry out the first delivery of a five-digit number of shells to Ukraine.
“The war in Ukraine reminds us almost daily that the defense of one’s own country depends on air defense and sufficient ammunition. With the resumption of production of Gepard ammunition, we are focusing on these two important aspects,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
“I am glad that we launched production so quickly and without bureaucratic obstacles,” he added.
The minister assured that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in those areas that are its strengths: artillery, ammunition and ground air defense.
In February 2023, the German Minister of Defense at a meeting in the Ramstein format announced that, by order of the German Federal Ministry of Defense, Rheinmetall AG would restore the production line for the production of Gepard ammunition.
The contract signed in February with a budget of 168 million euros provides for the supply of only 300 thousand shells. To do this, it was necessary to restart production and find a way to recycle old ammunition using new means.
Despite this complex process, the first ammunition was delivered to Ukraine almost seven months after the contract was signed.
Germany supplied Kyiv with 46 Gepard units. Six more should arrive soon.
