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Ukrainian soldiers have reportedly expressed frustration over the performance of several German-supplied weapon systems, raising concerns about their reliability on the battlefield.
According to internal German military documents obtained by Der Spiegel, multiple technical shortcomings have rendered some of these weapons “ill-suited” for high-intensity warfare.
One example is the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, which, despite being described as an “excellent” system, allegedly suffers from “high technical vulnerability” that undermines its combat reliability.
The older Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks are also used only in a limited capacity — often as improvised artillery — due to insufficient armor protection.
Meanwhile, the newer Leopard 2A6 tanks require extensive maintenance, with Ukrainian troops reportedly saying rapid repairs near the frontlines are nearly impossible.
The findings were shared by the deputy military attaché of the German Embassy in Kyiv during a presentation to around 200 junior officers of the Bundeswehr.
Mixed Reviews
While criticism was widespread, not all German systems fared poorly with Ukrainian forces.
The IRIS-T air defense system was highly praised for its combat effectiveness, though its costly and often scarce ammunition was said to limit its operational value.
The Patriot system also received mixed reviews. Although fundamentally sound, it was described as “unsuitable” for wartime use due to aging carrier vehicles and a shortage of spare parts.
Ukrainian troops also flagged the MARS II multiple rocket launcher as only “partially usable,” citing an inability to deploy its US-provided cluster munitions on the frontline.
A Clear Favorite
Among all the German-supplied systems, the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun received the highest praise.
Ukrainian troops reportedly called it the “most popular, efficient, and reliable” weapon in their arsenal.
Though decommissioned in Germany, many of the units delivered to Ukraine were reactivated or sourced from other countries.