This announcement was made by Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, as reported by Stern.de.
Key Details:
First Delivery: Ukraine will receive the initial shipment of six Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns, part of a total of 12 promised by Germany at the beginning of September as part of its defense assistance package.
Importance of Artillery: Defense Minister Pistorius highlighted the critical role of artillery in modern warfare, emphasizing that ground troops require effective and operational artillery for successful operations.
Panzerhaubitze 2000 Features: The Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) became a cornerstone of modern artillery in the late 1990s, recognized for its rate of fire and long-range accuracy. It is currently used by several NATO countries. The PzH 2000 has a range of approximately 30 kilometers, making it a valuable asset on the battlefield.
Maintenance and Spare Parts: According to a report by Bild, a significant portion of the German-made Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers previously delivered to Ukraine are currently out of service due to the need for repairs and a shortage of spare parts.
This delivery marks a significant addition to Ukraine's artillery capabilities, providing enhanced support to its ground forces. However, ensuring the operational readiness of these units remains a challenge, particularly concerning maintenance and spare parts availability.
