(CNN) – Germany has agreed to supply anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, the German Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday, underscoring a major shift in its approach to military assistance to Ukraine.
Secretary of Defense Kristin Lambrecht Geoffard announced the commitment to provide anti-aircraft systems during a meeting of international security officials at the Rammstein U.S. Air Force Base in Germany on Tuesday.
“Yesterday we decided to support Ukraine with anti-aircraft organizations … this is what is needed now to protect Ukraine’s airspace from the ground,” he said during a meeting at the Lambrecht site.
This is a significant fact as this is the first time that Germany has agreed to supply Ukraine with such heavy weapons in the fight against the Russian invasion. Germany withdraws Jeffert systems in 2010.
Germany initially resisted calls to send arms to Kiev, restricting itself to providing humanitarian aid and medical equipment. This approach is in line with Germany’s decades – long policy of not providing dangerous weapons to conflict areas.
A few months before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, the then new German government included in its alliance agreement the policy of arms export controls.
But under pressure from Allies and German public opinion, the government was forced Review the rules.
At the end of February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholes announced that Germany would begin supplying some weapons to Ukraine, although at that time he insisted that they be called “defensive.”
He also announced that Germany would begin to invest more in its own armed forces.
Last month, when Germany announced its acquisition, the first such investment was publicly confirmed 35 American-made F-35A fighter jets.
The Gepard anti-aircraft system is armed with two 35mm cannons.
Last week, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbach told Ukraine that “other partners are now supplying artillery” and that Germany would “assist in training and maintenance.”
Barbaugh said Germany Could not provide more weapons Because the country does not have weapons that can be handed over “quickly and without delay”.
He added that Germany had previously decided not to disclose all weapons sent to Ukraine, but added, “We have provided anti-tank weapons, Stingers. [sistemas de defensa aérea] And many weapons that we do not talk about publicly, “said Tariq al-Hashimi, the party’s secretary general.
