German howitzers to be handed over to Ukraine this month – Ambassador

Ukraine will receive self-propelled howitzers from Germany in the second half of June.

This was stated by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andriy Melnyk in an interview with NV.

The Ambassador noted that at least two of Germany’s promises to supply heavy weapons are expected to be fulfilled in the near future.

June 22 was named as the approximate delivery date for the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers.

“Seven self-propelled howitzers will be handed over to us. We will receive these systems around June 22,” Melnyk said.

After that, Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns are expected to be delivered next.

“Those are also old weapons. Out of total 30 Gepard units, 15 will be delivered by the end of July, another 15 by the end of August. These are the only 2 decisions out of all those announced by the German government to date, which are actually in the works,” he added.

The Ambassador noted that, despite its promises, Germany has yet to deliver a single heavy weapons unit to Ukraine.

“As of today, the 105th day of the Russian war against Ukraine, nothing, and I can’t stress this enough, not a unit of heavy weaponry – artillery, howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks – not one thing has been delivered to Ukraine,” he said.

In early May, it was reported that artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have started their training with German PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzers. Later, the Bundeswehr shared the details of the instruction Ukrainian servicemen received.

Germany is in no hurry to name the transfer date for the weapons promised to Ukraine.

A spokesman for the German government Steffen Hebestreit said that for organizational and security reasons it is difficult to discuss supply schedule when it comes to weapons for Ukrainian defenders.