Drones, air defense, and artillery systems: Germany announces aid to Ukraine by the end of the year

Germany has announced military aid for Ukraine. It includes weapons that will be delivered by the end of 2024.

This was announced during an interview with German General Christian Freuding.

The main focus of this assistance will be to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems, as well as additional artillery systems, firearms, drones, tanks, armored vehicles, etc.

In total, two medium-range IRIS-T SLM batteries and two short-range IRIS-T SLS batteries are planned to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year.

Also, 10 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns armed with two 35-mm cannons will arrive.

In addition to air defense systems, about 30 Leopard 1A5 tanks are expected, which are currently being restored by Rheinmetall specialists. Also, 400 armored MRAP vehicles of an unknown model have been allocated.

The artillery systems will be supplied in the form of 12 PzH-2000 tracked self-propelled artillery systems and four Zuzana 2 wheeled self-propelled artillery howitzers.

The availability of the Slovak Zuzana 2 artillery system on the list is due to the fact that the contract is financed by the German government, which will transfer it to Ukraine.

Among other things, there is also an unspecified amount of firearms, ammunition, logistics vehicles, a field hospital, etc.

In early August, the U.S. Department of Defense announced an additional military aid package for Ukraine.

The capabilities in this announcement include:

• Stinger missiles;
• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
• Multi-mission radars;
• Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) ambulances;
• Small arms ammunition;
• Demolitions equipment and munitions;
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and
• Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

This Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package has an estimated value of $125 million.