Empty armory due to Ukraine support
Germany does not reorder war material
Germany’s military support for Ukraine is cutting into the Bundeswehr’s own flesh. Because of the omissions of the former defense minister, there are now large gaps to be filled.
Published: 11 minutes ago
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The German arms deliveries to Ukraine tear a hole in their own stocks.
After much hesitation, the German tank deliveries to the Ukraine should finally be quick. An entire company – i.e. 14 units – of Leopard 2A6 tanks, as well as ammunition and material, is to support the Ukrainian military in the fight against the aggressor Russia from the end of March.
The German Bundeswehr, on the other hand, will need much more time to fill in the gaps created by the delivery. Göran Swistek, an expert at the Berlin Science and Politics Foundation (SWP), told DW: “The gap that then arises to fill these inventories is quite a large one, which I believe can last at least a year. »
However, the German federal government would first have to submit an order to the armaments industry – which Swistek says has not yet happened. “Apparently because these decisions about the subsequent purchase have not yet been made,” says the SWP specialist, referring to the Leopard 2.
Lambrecht overslept the replenishment of the Bundeswehr
What’s more: As “FAZ” reported at the end of the week, the Ministry of Defense under ex-Minister Christine Lambrecht (57) failed to generally reorder armaments that were sent to Ukraine. Most of the Bundeswehr stocks that were delivered to Ukraine were not replaced. Despite the generous household budget that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64) had made available as part of the “turning point” he proclaimed.
Specifically, this involves 14 self-propelled howitzers, 40 armored personnel carriers, five multiple rocket launchers and anti-aircraft systems. In addition, other material such as medical supplies, heavy-duty articulated lorries or artillery ammunition. Among the few items that were requested to be backordered from the Ministry of Finance were the 5,000 combat helmets that Lambrecht had sent to the Ukraine before the war broke out.
With the latest delivery of weapons to Ukraine, Lambrecht’s successor Boris Pistorius (62) has to take care of the missing material with even greater urgency. Because as soon as these tanks are gone, the German army is significantly weakened. (chs)
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