The Bundeswehr gets the tanks handed over to Ukraine replaced by the latest model 2A8.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin The Bundeswehr will receive new tank howitzers 2000 and new battle tanks of the most modern type Leopard 2A8 as a replacement for the equipment handed over to the Ukraine. The budget holders of the Bundestag approved the funds for 12 howitzers and 18 Leopard tanks on Wednesday.
In several steps, the Bundeswehr provided 14 Panzerhaubitzen 2000 from its own stocks to support the Ukrainian army in the fight against the Russian aggressors. A further eight of the weapon systems were decommissioned in order to be able to serve as a spare parts store for the surrendered howitzers.
At the end of March, the budget committee had already voted on a framework agreement with the manufacturer Kraus-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), which provides an option for the procurement of up to 28 new howitzers. At that time, the householders released the funds for ten copies. Now twelve more are to follow for almost 191 million euros.
The 18 Leopard 2A6s that the federal government has made available from Bundeswehr stocks as part of an international tank coalition are also to be replaced by more modern versions. For this purpose, the budget committee released almost 526 million euros on Wednesday – including the funds for spare parts, maintenance and service. The tanks should be delivered by 2026 at the latest.
The framework agreement with KMW even provides for the manufacture and delivery of up to 123 Leopard 2A8. The federal government and other nations interested in the battle tank can therefore order additional copies if necessary.
Financing the new tanks from a separate fund
“The framework agreements allow further orders to be placed quickly,” emphasized Green Housekeeper Sebastian Schäfer. “At the same time, we are inviting our international partners to get involved in this procurement project.” In this way, costs can be reduced and the industry benefits from better planning of production.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova announced on Wednesday talks with the federal government about a joint purchase of Leopard 2A8 tanks. According to their office, the Czech army could acquire about 70 tanks by 2030.
The money for the twelve howitzers and the 18 Leopard tanks comes neither from the regular defense budget nor from the 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr. Rather, the weapon systems are financed from the funds for “upgrading partner states in the areas of security, defense and stabilization”.
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Both arms deliveries to Ukraine and subsequent purchases are financed from the pot. The EUR 2.2 billion originally earmarked for this item for the current year was increased by EUR 3.2 billion at the end of March. Up to 2032, an additional 10.5 billion euros have been reserved for the upgrading initiative via commitment appropriations.
However, the money can only be used to replace material that was handed over to Ukraine. If additional orders are placed from the framework agreements, they would have to be paid for from the regular defense budget or the special fund.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Germany has so far spent almost 3.4 billion euros on military support services to Ukraine.
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