36 PzH 2000 artillery systems, RCH 155, 100 missiles for IRIS-T and 2 Skynex anti-aircraft systems: Germany has revealed details of a new €1.1bn military aid package for the AFU
Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently announced that Germany will transfer a new military aid package worth 1.1bn euros to Ukraine. Now the country's government has shared more details about the package.
Here's What We Know
The AFU will hand over 36 additional self-propelled artillery units: 18 PzH 2000 and 18 RCH 155. PzH 2000 are planned to be delivered to Ukraine during 2026 and 2027. As for the additional batch of RCH 155, it will be delivered to the AFU in 2027.
Besides self-propelled artillery units, Germany will also supply Ukraine with 120,000 artillery shells of 122 mm calibre, as well as 100 missiles for the IRIS-T SLS air defence system and two Skynex anti-aircraft systems (to arrive in 2025).
By the way, such delivery dates are due to the fact that all equipment will be new and will have to be manufactured.
Flashback
PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer gun developed by German concern Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. It was adopted by the Bundeswehr in autumn 1998. It uses a 52-calibre (8 m) barrel, an automatic loading system with 60 rounds of ammunition, 228 modular throwing charges and an advanced ground navigation system. The Panzerhaubitze 2000 has a range of 30-50 kilometres (depending on the projectile).
The RCH 155 is a modern 155 mm self-propelled artillery unit based on the GTK Boxer wheeled armoured personnel carrier with the turret from the Panzerhaubitze 2000. It has a crew of two men. The RCH 155 is capable of firing while driving. The maximum range is 54 kilometres and the rate of fire is 9 rounds per minute. The vehicle weighs 39 tonnes. Thanks to its 815 hp engine, the RCH-155 can accelerate up to 100 km/h.
Skynex is a new air defence system based on the Rheinmetall MAN HX 8×8 chassis. The air defence system was introduced in 2021. It is designed to provide defence against cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The unit is equipped with an Oerlikon Mk3 cannon of 35 mm calibre. The effective range of fire is 4 kilometres. The Skynex arsenal also includes a radar that is capable of autonomously tracking aerial threats.
Source: bmvg