IRIA News

Several of Ukraine’s European allies, including Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and Denmark, have recently announced their military aid packages for Ukraine. Kyiv’s European partners have ramped up financial assistance as concerns over U.S. military aid grow stronger.

The German government announced on February 16, 2024, that it would be supplying 18 armored personnel carriers, approximately 4,000 155 mm artillery shells, a DACHS armored engineering vehicle, and nine minesweepers to sweepers to Ukraine in its latest military aid package.

Ukraine additionally acquired several high-tech surveillance and reconnaissance drones from Germany, including 10 Vectors, 30 RQ-35 Heidruns, 11 Primoco ONEs, and seven Songbirds.

Germany’s latest military aid package for Ukraine has been estimated at around $1 billion. The package includes missiles for air defense systems, 18 more RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzers, 18 Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers, and more than 120,000 122 mm shells.

Germany is also providing two additional Skynex air defense systems to Ukraine. Germany’s Skynex has played a pivotal role in defending major Ukrainian cities against Russian drone attacks. Oerlikon Skynex is a mobile, modular anti-aircraft artillery system manufactured by Germany’s Rheinmetall. The system is particularly effective in wiping out drone swarms by firing 1,000 bullets a minute.

According to Rheinmetall, the Skynex system can defend against large tactical drones, air-to-ground missiles, mortars, and artillery rockets. The system consists of a 3D target-acquisition radar, which can identify aerial threats within a 50-kilometer range.

Germany has so far provided around $7 billion in military support for Ukraine in 2024 and pledged $6 billion in commitments for subsequent years. In his latest meeting with the Ukrainian President, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that, in total, Germany has pledged or provided around $28 billion in various aid to Ukraine.

Apart from Germany, France has stepped up its military aid for Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Paris last week. France will transfer artillery shells and Caesar systems and strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. Paris will also provide Ukraine with the latest kamikaze drones.

Similarly, The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, announced that his government has sourced 800,000 shells for delivery to Kyiv which are going to play a crucial role in the ongoing war. Pavel added that currently the search for logistics financing for this military aid is underway.

I had a very specific and informative meeting with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel @prezidentpavel. We discussed defense support for Ukraine, enhancing cooperation between the defense industries of our countries, and joint arms production.

We appreciate the support of… pic.twitter.com/5KXzeTXJEL

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 17, 2024

Ukraine turns to Europe

The U.S. had been Ukraine’s largest supporter providing billions in military support and frequently announcing military aid packages for Ukraine. However, the frequency of Washington’s military aid packages has become more stagnant due to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East as well as internal political pressure. Kyiv has now turned to Europe to seek financial aid for its military campaign against Russia.

The fighting between the two warring states has soared in the recent few months, especially around the eastern city of Avdiivka where Ukrainian forces there are on the brink of collapse. Taking the city would mark Russia’s largest advance since it seized Bakhmut last year.

Russia’s escalation in attacks indicates that Moscow is attempting to push its military campaign into the final phase. The war has also been costly for Russia in terms of military expenses. According to the data released by the U.S. Department of Defense, Military operations in Ukraine have cost Russia up to $211 billion and the country has lost $10 billion in canceled or paused arms sales. At least 20 Russian naval vessels have been sunk in the Black Sea and 315,000 Russian soldiers have either been killed or wounded.