Germany is continuing its efforts to provide military aid for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. The government reported that two new packages are to be sent to Kyiv.
Air defense systems from Germany for Ukraine
One of the most important articles is the missiles for the IRIS-T SLM system, which performed extraordinarily when countering the October attacks on critical infrastructure.
IRIS-T SLM: how it works
After training the Ukrainian military to operate the system and giving it to Ukraine, the German manufacturer is now able to study its strengths and weaknesses on the battlefield. This is a rare opportunity, especially since the enemy is using both ballistic and cruise missiles.
Both missiles and launchers are provided directly from the factory. The manufacturer delivered the demonstrational system as well as the launchers that were intended for Egypt.
The delivery of the next IRIS-T SLM system is scheduled for late December, which raises the bar extremely high in terms of both manufacturing and training.
In general, the air defense systems provided to Ukraine by Germany have proved to be very effective. The Gepards shot down cruise missiles and drones, and surface-to-air missile systems intercepted more than 90% of targets, including modern Kh-101 missiles.
New radars and munitions for MARS II
Additional missiles for them are a good sign that Germany is undertaking to ensure comprehensive supply and will likely help us establish a service and repair center. Berlin is supplying rare munitions that it doesn’t even have for itself.
New TRML-4D radars capable of tracking up to 1,500 targets at once in a radius of up to 250 km, as well as missiles with infrared guidance systems capable of sorting out heat flares and following the course of the target aircraft without a radar beam, are high-end technologies unimaginable for our defense industry.
The second-most important article is rocket munitions for MARS II MLRS. Since Berlin has signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, they can only use monobloc heads and a remote minefield installation system. Similar to the British M270, MARS II needs to be modified in order to use submunitions or tungsten fragments.
Additional launchers will likely be shipped promptly after they are modernized, since Germany has a lot of them in stock. The West has provided us with some three dozen rocket artillery systems and 1,000 German-made rockets in several batches, which is a significant contribution to Ukraine’s defense.
Mine-protected vehicles and tank transporter tractors
30 ATF Dingo MRAP vehicles (mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles – 
), a complete battalion set, are coming to Kyiv. Explosion-resistant vehicles are extremely needed on the frontline as we’re pushing forward through a territory heavily contaminated with mines.
ATF Dingo MRAP: the benefits
Explosive devices set by our Special Operation Forces on the territories that were occupied at the time, partisan fighters who don’t report on their actions, retreating enemy troops, remote mine installation systems, frequently rotating Ukrainian units, and artillery coming close to the line of contact to extend the strike range cause frequent inadvertent explosions and render minefield maps irrelevant.
These personnel vehicles capable of withstanding an explosion of a ТМ-62 mine and fragments from close artillery hits without killing the crew, with their 12.7-mm machine guns, 40-mm grenade launchers, and turrets with a night vision channel, are what we need in the current situation.
Kyiv will also receive 13 armored M1070 Oshkosh tractors for deploying and evacuating tanks, self-propelled artillery, heavy engineering machines, and any other equipment that shall be transported to extend the engine life and reduce road wear. Its fragment-resistant cab allows the transporter to work in the red zone.
As western heavy equipment is new to our maintenance workers and spare parts for it are scarce, it is very important to save its engines and chassis to avoid frequent repair.
Germany’s military aid to Ukraine
Drones for intelligence and a package for border guards
Another article is 18 reconnaissance drones — Germany has not only Puma but also Aladin and Luna drones. Although it wasn’t announced what specific drones would be given, it can be presumed that those are some of the 40 systems currently in service, since Germany is now re-equipping its army with a new Luna NG model.
An extensive package for border guards was also announced, including 478 off-road vehicles earlier possessed by Germany’s Federal Border Guard, of which 61 are already in Ukraine.
These are Grenzschutzfahrzeuge, protected patrol vehicles. These are either armored Mercedes SW3, basically the G-Class 4x4 with armor, or SW 2\SW 4 similar to our BDRM with a demilitarized turret.
The exact model is currently classified.
Engineering equipment and a winter package for the military
Heavy engineering equipment — a Caterpillar excavator for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine units deployed on the border with Belarus — was recently shipped. The ability to quickly maneuver and entrench could be key in the event of another Russian invasion from the north — and it's good that our partners here keep their finger on the pulse.
In addition, Ukraine will receive drone jamming systems and various "winter packages" — heaters, tents, uniforms, generators, and forklifts.
Logistics, supply of multiple-launch rocket systems and air defense systems, motorization, mine-resistant vehicles, border guard, money for purchases by third countries — Berlin continues a large-scale support program for Kyiv, and now even skeptics can hardly say that it is insufficient.
Of course, we need more, primarily because of the length of the frontline and a million people under fire, but Germany is definitely making a significant contribution.
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