German weapon woes: Flaws hinder Ukraine's frontline efforts
German weapons systems used by Ukraine have significant flaws, according to the German Spiegel. Soldiers in Ukraine are experiencing difficulties with the equipment provided by Germany.
The German weapons systems supporting Ukraine in the conflict are encountering substantial challenges. As reported by Spiegel, the deputy military attaché of the German embassy in Kyiv highlighted issues with their effectiveness. According to the German portal, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000), although regarded as advanced, is technically prone to malfunctions, raising concerns about its suitability in combat.
Problems with tanks and defence systems
The Leopard 1A5 and Leopard 2A6 tanks are also failing to meet expectations. It is noted that the former is used as improvised artillery due to inadequate protection, while the latter is too costly to maintain and challenging to repair on the front line. Air defence systems like IRIS-T and Patriot also have their limitations, primarily due to costs and a lack of spare parts.
Exceptions and positive aspects
However, not all German weapon systems are criticised. For example, the Gepard anti-aircraft system is praised for its reliability and efficiency. It is described as the most popular, effective, and reliable weapon system in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Mars rocket systems change the battlefield rules, although they are only partially suitable for combat because, unlike their American counterparts, they do not support cluster munitions.
Logistical and training challenges
An additional issue is the lack of proper training for Ukrainian soldiers and inadequate repair infrastructure. Service centres are too far from the front lines, making quick repairs difficult. In response to these challenges, Germany plans to increase defence spending, which could improve the situation.
It should be noted that the Gepard systems praised on the front line are weapons that Germany phased out in 2010. This weapon has a range of approximately 2.5 miles (or 3 miles if FAPDS ammunition is used). This significantly exceeds the range of the Soviet ZSU 23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft systems, which is approximately 1.2 miles.
