Kiev reports problems with German howitzers

Only one month after the delivery of German self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, the artillery pieces are already showing clear signs of wear, according to a press report. In the middle of the week, the government in Kiev informed the Ministry of Defense in Berlin that some of the seven self-propelled howitzers 2000 delivered at the end of June showed error messages after intensive shelling of Russian positions. Several howitzers are therefore in need of repair.

The Bundeswehr assumes that the problems are related to the high rate of fire at which the Ukrainian forces use the howitzers, according to the report. This puts enormous stress on the howitzer's loading mechanism, it said. In Germany, even 100 rounds per day would be considered high-intensity use, but the Ukrainians apparently fired far more shells.

In addition, the soldiers at the front had initially tried to fire special ammunition at too great a distance, "Der Spiegel" reported further. According to the report, the Bundeswehr agreed to quickly send additional spare parts packages to Ukraine to fix the problems. At the same time, the German government is negotiating with the defense industry on the establishment of a repair center in Poland. There, necessary repairs to delivered material could be carried out more quickly.

According to "Spiegel," new problems have also arisen with the ammunition supply for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank, the first five systems of which were recently delivered to Ukraine. During test firing in Germany, it turned out that the Gepard's firing system does not recognize ammunition from a Norwegian manufacturer. Now the projectiles have to be improved. In August, the adapted ammunition is to be tested again. (afp/dl)

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