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​Novelties and Surprises of the New German Military Aid Package For Ukraine

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RCT30 infantry figting vehicle ith air defense capabilities / Illustrative photo credit: KNDS
RCT30 infantry figting vehicle ith air defense capabilities / Illustrative photo credit: KNDS

A whole range of new articles have appeared in the updated list of military supplies from Germany to the Ukrainian forces, including the AiTO30 FDC vehicle on Boxer chassis

The Federal government of Germany has updated the list of weapons delivered and newly contracted for Ukraine. Over three weeks have passed since the last update on December 23, and the update reflects all the changes and new procurements that were done in the meantime.

Besides the already regular provisions like artillery and tank ammunition, drones, rifles, and personal equipment, there are a number of new articles that have not been transferred to Ukraine before and even surprises.

Read more: ​Poland Pledges New Military Aid to Ukraine But Only So Much It Can Give

Some key items delivered over these weeks are:

  • 20 unspecified Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP) — in addition to the 103 units supplied previously;
  • 14,000 artillery rounds in the 155mm caliber; 19,000 rounds, 122mm; 6,000 mortar shells, 120mm; and ammunition for Leopard 1 tanks;
  • 600 HF-1 strike drones;
  • reconnaissance UAVs: 50 Vector, 46 RQ-35 Heidrun, and 43 Songbird drones;
  • 495 HK 416 assault rifles;
  • body armor, medical equipment, field glasses, etc.
Illustrative photo: German soldiers practice mortar fire during the the MILEX 2024 exercise / Defense Express / Novelties and Surprises of the New German Military Aid Package to Ukraine
Illustrative photo: German soldiers practice mortar fire during the MILEX 2024 exercise / Photo credit: Marco Dorow, Bundeswehr

Particularly notable in this list are, surprisingly, 122-mm artillery shells. Their transfer by Germany means that Berlin had managed to find stocks or production facilities of Soviet-type shells and purchased them for Ukraine. This is the first time that Germany has transferred them.

The same applies to the HF-1 strike drones from Helsing, as well as HK 416 assault rifles, two new paragraphs on the list.

The new commissions to defense manufacturers on behalf of the Ukrainian Defense Forces include:

  • 18 additional RCH-155 self-propelled artillery systems;
  • 9 AiTO30 FDC combat vehicles in the RCT-30 version with a mobile fire direction center;
  • 277 new unspecified MRAPs;
  • 5 Marder infantry fighting vehicles in addition to the 20 already queued up.
The RCT30 IFV / Defense Express / Novelties and Surprises of the New German Military Aid Package to Ukraine
The RCT30 IFV / Illustrative photo credit: KNDS

Among these, the RCT-30 infantry fighting vehicle is noteworthy. Essentially, it's an autonomous air defense gun based on Boxer chassis, its primary role on the battlefield is to provide air cover for the RCH-155 howitzers, especially by shooting down any hostile drones at close range with precise cost-efficient gunfire bursts. Defense Express covered this vehicle and the capabilities it will bring to the Ukrainian warzone in more detail in a separate article.

For a reminder, the first RCH-155 wheeled artillery system arrived in Ukraine on January 13, thus making Ukraine the very first country to operate this howitzer.

Read more: Apart from the RCH 155 Howitzers, Ukraine May Receive Advanced RCT30 Boxer Armored Vehicles from Germany for a Specialized Role