In a significant development for Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, Germany has supplied Ukraine with a five-digit number of 35-mm shells for Gepard anti-aircraft guns, drawn from a newly restarted production line in Unterlüß. This delivery, part of a larger agreement to provide 300,000 rounds to Kyiv, marks a critical enhancement of Ukraine’s ability to fend off low-flying Russian drones and missiles, as the country continues to defend itself against an ongoing invasion.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine has heavily relied on its arsenal of Cold War-era Gepard anti-aircraft cannons provided by Germany. These systems, retired from German service about 15 years ago, have become a significant component of Ukraine’s multi-layered air defense network, despite suffering from a dire shortage of ammunition.
The ammunition scarcity stemmed from Switzerland’s refusal to sell these munitions to Ukraine due to its neutrality policy, and the inability of other countries to re-export Swiss defense products to nations at war. Consequently, Germany, which had depleted its own ammunition stocks, sought solutions to support Ukraine’s defenses.
Rheinmetall AG, a German arms manufacturer that traditionally produced medium-caliber ammunition in Switzerland, has risen to the challenge. In February 2023, the German government announced at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group that Rheinmetall would be tasked with creating new production capacity for the Gepard’s 35mm air-burst munitions in Germany. Shortly after this announcement, a contract was signed for the rapid delivery of 300,000 rounds, addressing an urgent and high political relevance.
Rheinmetall invested a multi-million-euro figure in establishing the new production facility in Germany and faced the immense pressure to adapt and innovate due to the absence of original tools for producing the ammunition. As detailed in their statements, the company had to employ reverse engineering and modify existing 35mm ammunition from infantry fighting vehicles for use in the Gepard systems. Ensuring that the Gepard fire control units would recognize the new munitions posed a unique challenge but was ultimately successful.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the importance of this endeavor, stating, “The war in Ukraine reminds us almost every day that air defense and sufficient ammunition are what count when defending one’s own country.” He affirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in critical areas, including artillery, ammunition, and ground-based air defense.
Rheinmetall’s executive board chairman, Armin Papperger, expressed the company’s dedication to aiding Ukraine, emphasizing the rapid response to the contract. “Just six months after signing the contract, we’ve already started delivery, as agreed,” Papperger said. “We want to help the people of Ukraine. Every drone that’s shot down saves lives!”
The first lot of ammunition successfully tested at the Group’s proving ground at Unterlüß and subsequently sent to Ukraine, 40,000 rounds are expected to be delivered by the end of the year. The 300,000 rounds being produced will include 150,000 rounds of APDS-T armor-piercing munitions for heavy targets and another 150,000 of HEI-T high-explosive projectiles for aerial threats.
Russia continues to ramp up its domestic drone production and the threat of airborne assaults remains high, the replenishment of Gepard ammunition comes at a crucial juncture for Ukraine’s military. This support enables a sustained rate of fire against drone attacks, releasing other air-defense assets to counter additional threats, and underscores the strategic partnership between Germany and Ukraine in their collective defense efforts.
Relevant articles:
– Germany has finally figured out how to build more ammo for the 1960s-era cannon Ukraine is using to blast Russian drones Business Insider
– Gepard ammunition on its way to Ukraine Rheinmetall, Sep 4, 2023
– Germany ships first batch of new Gepard ammo to Ukraine Defense News, Sep 5, 2023