Germany delivers heavy weapons to Ukraine: officials

Germany has provided Ukraine with three MARS II multiple launch rocket system launchers and three more PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, officials have said.

Rescuers search for survivors in a building destroyed by Russian shelling in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Chuhuiv, July 26, 2022.

Photo: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV

The shipment was announced by Germany’s Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

“The promised MARS II multiple rocket launchers and another three self-propelled howitzer 2000 have been delivered,” Lambrecht said.

"We keep our word," she added.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, acknowledged the receipt of the weapons on Twitter.

🇺🇦🇩🇪 Mars II MLRS have already been handed over to Ukraine by our German allies.

Wir garantieren, dass die Russen eine heiße Antwort auf ihre Aggression und Politik des Terrors und der Erpressung bekommen werden🔥 pic.twitter.com/rLB75D01bd

— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) July 26, 2022

Meanwhile, Lambrecht said that Germany would also supply Ukraine with the COBRA counter-battery radar system in September.

“The contract has already been signed, now the training of Ukrainian soldiers on this highly complex system begins,” she added.

Within the next few days, Germany is also set to start training Ukrainian troops on the IRIS-T SLM air defence system, according to officials.

Its manufacturer is scheduled to ship the system to Ukraine in the autumn, the PAP news agency reported.  

People view a displayed IRIS-T SLM air defense system. pic.twitter.com/cVv9ZfpboC

— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) July 21, 2022

Wednesday is day 154 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, edition.cnn.com