The heavy howitzer is used by the Bundeswehr.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Germany will train Ukrainian soldiers to use heavy artillery from Western stocks and provide them with ammunition to repel the Russian invaders. The news agency Bloomberg News learned from government circles.
Training and ammunition are for the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000), a self-propelled rapid-fire artillery system that the Netherlands is sending to Ukraine, it said. The training could take place in Poland or Germany, but not in Ukraine, as there are frequent Russian attacks there. Federal government spokesman did not want to comment on the plans at the federal press conference on Wednesday.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has come under strong pressure, including from his own governing coalition, to increase military support for Ukraine, including the deployment of heavy weapons.
After a video conference with representatives of the G7 countries and NATO allies, Scholz told journalists on Tuesday that the federal government, together with the defense industry and the government in Kyiv, is drawing up a list of weapons that could be delivered to Ukraine. The available stocks of the Bundeswehr are largely used up.
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Instead of supplying Ukraine directly, Germany will supply modern tanks to Eastern European countries willing to send Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine that soldiers there are trained to operate, the government official said. It is still being negotiated which NATO allies in Eastern Europe will supply Ukraine. Scholz said on Tuesday it was important to deliver weapons that were immediately available and effective for Ukraine’s defense.
Most modern self-propelled howitzer in the world
In his statement, the Chancellor made no mention of direct deliveries of heavy weapons such as tanks from Germany. Instead, he reiterated that Germany and its NATO allies must avoid becoming a conflicting party in the war Russia started. According to Scholz, Germany should not dare to go it alone.
>> Read more: The SPD and the war – why the chancellor does not intensify his Russia policy
Germany is ready to send more anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, said Scholz, who also mentioned artillery ammunition without giving further details.
According to the manufacturer, the PzH 2000 is the most modern self-propelled howitzer in the world, capable of firing up to ten rounds per minute over distances of more than 50 km combat distance. It can use different types of 155mm NATO ammunition.
More: Read the current developments in the Ukraine war in the live blog here