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Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) during the questioning in the Bundestag
Photo: Christian Mang / REUTERS
The federal government has long been criticized for arms deliveries to Ukraine – many observers believe that the traffic light coalition is acting too hesitantly.
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) has now defended herself against the allegations and justified the previous secrecy regarding deliveries with tactical considerations.
"The enemy is reading along," said Lambrecht at a question time in the Bundestag.
So that Russia is not informed about German arms deliveries, the traffic light government has so far kept a low profile in communicating them clearly.
Now, in consultation with the Ukraine, a change of strategy has taken place.
Lambrecht promised a transparent listing of all delivered and planned systems in the future.
On Tuesday, the federal government publicly announced for the first time what weapons and other material had been delivered to Ukraine so far - and what was still to be delivered.
Lambrecht said further ring exchange options are currently being negotiated with Poland, Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Ukraine must be supplied with what the armed forces need "for their courageous struggle".
However, the Bundeswehr has reached its limit with its commitments in order to still guarantee its ability to form an alliance.
The first heavy war equipment to arrive in Ukraine on Tuesday, almost four months after the start of the war, was seven Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery pieces.
According to the defense minister, the Mars II multiple missile system will follow next.
Ukrainian soldiers would be trained on it in June.
Three systems would then be delivered, with Great Britain and the USA together delivering a further seven artillery pieces.
During the hour-long questioning, the opposition took a sharp stance on Lambrecht.
MEPs from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group criticized the fact that Germany has so far produced hardly any heavy equipment and that there has been no decision to supply tanks.
Point of contention cheetah
Again and again, the focus was on the 30 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks that had already been announced.
According to Lambrecht, they should help protect critical infrastructure and, for example, take down enemy aircraft.
The Union noted that the cheetahs could be used for ground combat.
Lambrecht returned that the Ukrainian army is working successfully and is highly qualified.
It is not up to her to teach them which weapon can be used and how.
"Ukraine is in a very difficult situation and we should do everything we can to support them," said Lambrecht.
When asked why Germany was supplying cheetahs but no marten tanks so far, the minister replied that the cheetah was not considered a tank despite its weight, but the marten was.
Other partners have not yet delivered any "western design" tanks either, so the issue would be coordinated with the NATO allies.
"There will not and must not be any German solo efforts," said Lambrecht.
The Union criticized that such a distinction between cheetah and marten was not valid.
mrc/AFP/Reuters
