Germany u-turns, but only promises Ukraine old, disused, mobile anti-aircraft vehicles

EU’s largest economy struggles in its efforts to restore its reputation

Montage © Facts4EU.Org 2022

Facts4EU.Org summarises yesterday’s developments in a way you will not see on the BBC

As predicted exclusively by Facts4EU.Org on Sunday, the EU’s largest economy has been forced into yet another u-turn on Ukraine.

Yesterday German Defence Minister Christina Lambrecht announced that Germany has finally agreed to send some historic heavy weapons to Ukraine to help them to defend themselves. Since before the start of the war, Germany has repeatedly refused to do even this.

Mrs Lambrecht made the announcement at the meeting of ministers and advisers being held at the Ramstein air base, hosted by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin yesterday and today.

"Yesterday we decided that Germany will make the delivery of 'Gepard' anti-aircraft tanks possible to Ukraine."

- Christina Lambrecht, German Defence Minister, Ramstein, Tues 26 Apr 2022

There are, however, just a few problems

What the German Defence Minister describes as ‘tanks’ are in fact mobile platforms for two heavy-duty machine guns. Whilst these guns are carried on the body of the old Leopard 1 tank, they are not tanks in the conventional sense of the word.

Secondly, there is the problem of old age….

Brexit Facts4EU.Org Summary

  • Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) was first designed in 1963 – almost 60 years ago
  • Manufacturing contract was placed in 1973 – almost 50 years ago
  • Naturally the electronics was upgraded since then
  • Nonetheless they were taken out of service by the Bundeswehr in 2010 – 12 years ago
  • It will take weeks for the original manufacturer to make these historic units operational again
  • Then Ukrainian troops will have to be trained to use them
  • This is why Frau Lambrecht said Germany would “make possible the delivery”, rather than actually delivering them

The Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG), taken in 1987

The BBC is of course pursuing its pro-EU agenda

Meanwhile the headline article on bbc.com this morning hails "Germany to send tanks to Ukraine in U-turn". The small problem with this is that Germany is not sending tanks. Even the newspaper of choice in BBC newsrooms (The Gaurdian) was obliged to edit its article to make a correction yesterday: "This article, including the headline, was amended on 26 April 2022. Gepards are self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, not tanks."

Perhaps if BBC journalists did their own research instead of reading the Guardian, the quality of the BBC's news output might improve.

Why couldn’t Germany have done more for Ukraine, and done it faster?

Germany is the powerhouse of the EU. Its economy dwarfs those of most of the EU’s member countries. Despite this, it has consistently underspent dramatically on defence for decades, as we have reported many times before.

When the war broke out, Germany’s only military response was to send Ukraine some helmets.

Weeks ago the German Defence Minister admitted that Germany could not send more weapons to Ukraine as it had, in effect, run out. This helps to explain why Germany had to trawl through its warehouses of redundant, disused military equipment to try to find something which looked the part.

"In the case of deliveries from Bundeswehr stocks, however, I have to be honest, we have now reached a limit."

- German Defence Minister, Apr 2022

This follows recent comments from the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the German parliament, where he told them:

“We need aeroplanes that fly, ships that can set out to sea and soldiers who are optimally equipped for their missions. That is what is important.”

- German Chancellor, Bundestag, 27 Feb 2022

By contrast, in the United Kingdom....

On Monday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced in Parliament that the UK would give a number of modern Stormer vehicles fitted with launchers for Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, in addition to what has already been given by the UK.

The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence, Mon 25 Apr 2022

“To date we have provided more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, 5 Air Defence systems with more than 100 missiles, 1,360 anti-structure munitions, and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives. And in response to indiscriminate bombing from the air, and escalations by President Putin’s forces, on 9 March I announced that the UK would supply Starstreak high velocity and low velocity anti-air missiles. I am able to now report to the House that these have been in-theatre for over 3 weeks and they have been deployed and used by Ukrainian forces to defend themselves and their territory.

“Over recess my ministerial team, Mr Speaker, hosted a Ukrainian government delegation at Salisbury Plain Training Area to explore further equipment options. This was quickly followed by the Prime Minister announcing a further £100 million worth of high-grade military equipment, 120 armoured vehicles, sourcing anti-ship missiles, and high-tech loitering munitions for precision strikes.

“But as we can see from Ukrainian requests, more needs to be done. So for that reason I can now announce to the House that we shall be gifting a small number of armoured vehicles fitted with launchers for those anti-air missiles. These Stormer vehicles will give Ukraine forces enhanced short range anti-air capabilities, both day and night.”

- The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP. Secretary of State for Defence, Parliament, 26 Apr 2022

Observations

German hand-me-downs

In effect, Germany is offering Ukraine 50-odd ‘hand-me-downs’ which have been mothballed for a dozen years, and which require overhauling before they can be of any use. With the training in their use then required, it is hard to see these old weapons being deployed any time soon.

With Ukraine in such a desperate state it is of course unlikely that President Zellenskyy will look a gifthorse in the Maul. Ukraine needs all the weaponry it can get. Nevertheless Germany’s move yesterday will not do a great deal to enhance Germany’s already battered international reputation in this crisis.

When war broke out Germany sent Ukraine some helmets. Perhaps it thought the Ukrainian troops could throw them at the advancing Russians.

Yesterday’s announcement is a start, but there’s a long way to go. We doubt the German media will let up yet in its relentless criticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government.

An ‘EU Army’ to protect the EU? Seriously?

Long gone are the days when Remainer-Rejoiners like Nick Clegg could try to ridicule the claims of Brexiteers that the EU was planning to form its own army.

This is now established fact. The only thing in dispute is that the EU continues to pretend that its own military ambitions will in no way replace or compete with NATO.

No-one can seriously believe that. To use an old expression: “Go tell that to the marines”.

There is precious little in Putin’s war against Ukraine to be positive about. One thing has shone out, however. The idea that the EU can defend itself without the full support of the USA, the United Kingdom, and the combined might of NATO has been shown to be for the birds.

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[ Sources: German Government | German media | Hansard | MoD | BBC | The Guardian ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org, Wed 27 Apr 2022

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