German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht is set to announce the sending of Gepard anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, Der Spiegel reported.
Lambrecht will announce the decision Tuesday morning at a “hastily” convened press conference by the US at their Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany with 20 more defense ministers in attendance.
She’s also expected to announce the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the German Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzer, which the Netherlands intends to supply to Ukraine.
Germany itself is not sending Panzerhaubitze due to insufficient stock, Lambrecht said last week.
Growing Criticism
The expected announcements are seen as countering growing criticism of Germany for its refusal to send heavy defense equipment to Ukraine.
According to Der Spiegel, Lambrecht is expected to reiterate the country’s “turn around” in defense spending, citing a recent hike in the defense budget in response to the Ukraine invasion.
The expected announcement comes within a week of Lambrecht announcing that Germany will replenish the arms stock of Eastern European countries delivering weapons to Ukraine, such as T-72 tanks by Slovenia.
Europe’s largest economy still has not decided on a reported offer by German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall to send 50 used Leopard I tanks to Ukraine.
Moreover, a proposal to immediately send Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine from existing military stocks was reportedly shut down.
