According to the German Defense Ministry , the package includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 30 Leopard-1 tanks and four IRIS-T-SLM air defense systems. This is Germany's largest military aid package to Ukraine since the conflict between the country and Russia broke out.
Leopard 2 A6 tank of the German Army. Photo: Getty
The German magazine Der Spiegel said the aid package would also include 15 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery vehicles, 200 reconnaissance drones, anti-aircraft ammunition, additional artillery shells and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles.
Ukraine has pressed its allies to provide long-range weapons, jets and ammunition ahead of a counteroffensive expected in the coming weeks or months.
Germany was initially reluctant to send heavy weapons to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, fearing it could escalate the war. But in January, Germany agreed to send Leopard tanks and said it would work with allies to send more.
Germany provided Ukraine with 2 billion euros in military aid last year and has provided about 2.2 billion euros so far this year. The new German military aid package comes as Ukraine's president heads to Rome for talks with Western leaders, followed by a possible trip to Berlin.
Huy Hoang (AFP, Reuters, DW)
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