German weapons reveal flaws in Ukraine battlefield fight
The German publication Spiegel revealed that the German weapon systems used by Ukraine have significant flaws. Soldiers in Ukraine are facing difficulties with the equipment provided by Germany.
The German weapon systems supporting Ukraine in the conflict are encountering serious challenges. According to Spiegel, the deputy military attaché of the German embassy in Kyiv pointed out problems with their effectiveness. The report indicates that the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000), although considered advanced, is technically prone to failures, raising doubts about its usefulness in combat.
Problems with tanks and defense systems
The Leopard 1A5 and Leopard 2A6 tanks also fall short of expectations. The Leopard 1A5 is used as improvised artillery due to its weak protection, while the Leopard 2A6 is too expensive to maintain and difficult to repair on the front lines. Air defense systems such as the IRIS-T and Patriot also have limitations, mainly due to costs and a lack of spare parts.
Exceptions and positive aspects
However, not all German weapon systems are criticized. For example, the Gepard anti-aircraft system is praised for its reliability and effectiveness. It is described as "the most popular, effective, and reliable weapon system in Ukraine." Meanwhile, the Mars rocket systems "change the rules of the battlefield," but are only partly suitable for combat because, unlike their American counterparts, they do not support cluster munitions.
Logistical and training challenges
An additional problem is the lack of adequate training for Ukrainian soldiers and a weak repair infrastructure. Service centers are too far from the front lines, making quick repairs difficult. In light of these challenges, Germany plans to increase defense spending, which could improve the situation.
It is worth recalling that the Gepard systems, praised on the front lines, are weapons that Germany phased out of use in 2010. This weapon's range is reported to be about 2.5 miles (or 3 miles with FAPDS ammunition). This significantly exceeds the Soviet ZSU 23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft systems, which have a range of about 1.2 miles.
