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SLIAC/Slovakia, Might 6 (Reuters) – Germany will ship seven self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, on prime of 5 such artillery programs the Dutch authorities already pledged, German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht mentioned on Friday.
Germany reversed its long-held coverage of not sending heavy weapons to battle zones final week following stress at residence and overseas for it to assist Ukraine fend off Russian assaults.
The heavy weapons will come out of the Bundeswehr inventories and be delivered as quickly as they emerge from upkeep over the following weeks, Lambrecht and her chief of defence, normal Eberhard Zorn, informed reporters within the Slovak city of Sliac.
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The coaching of the primary group of some 20 Ukrainian troops on the Panzerhaubitze 2000 is anticipated to kick off subsequent week within the German city of Idar-Oberstein, Zorn mentioned, including that these troops had expertise in working Soviet-built howitzers.
Ukraine’s pleas for heavy weapons have intensified since Moscow has turned its heaviest firepower on the nation’s east and south, after failing to take the capital Kyiv. learn extra
Berlin may also provide a primary ammunition bundle for the howitzers constructed by German defence firm KMW, Zorn mentioned, with additional ammunition purchases to be dealt with instantly between Kyiv and the corporate.
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is among the strongest artillery weapons within the Bundeswehr inventories and may hit targets at a distance of 40 kms (25 miles).
Final week, Berlin agreed for the primary time to produce Kyiv with heavy weapons, in that case Gepard air-defence tanks, after critics accused Germany of dragging its heels on heavy weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
A lot of the heavy weapons NATO international locations have despatched to Ukraine thus far are Soviet-built arms nonetheless within the inventories of east European NATO member states, however the US and another allies have began to produce Kyiv with Western howitzers.
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “particular army operation” to disarm Ukraine and defend it from fascists. Ukraine and the West say the fascist allegation is baseless and that the battle is an unprovoked act of aggression.
Lambrecht will meet her Dutch counterpart Kajsa Ollongren later within the day in Sliac the place each international locations have deployed Patriot air defence since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Enhancing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise
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