Balkans | The countries of the European Union have shipped several weapons and ammunition to Ukraine for a year

For the first time in its history, the European Union (EU) funded arms shipments to a third country for its military operations, while EU member states shipped various weapons, ammunition, air defense support and other military equipment to Ukraine in the past year.

Sending weapons to the Kiev administration has been on the agenda of the European Union and its member states since February 24, 2022, when Russia started the war in Ukraine.

After the war, the European Union, for the first time in its history, decided to finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and other military equipment. The EU treaties prohibit the Union from using its regular budget to finance military operations. For this purpose, the European Union used the extra-budgetary European Peace Fund. In this context, first aid worth 500 million euros was delivered on February 26. The EU has also launched a mission to train 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers in November 2022.

The volume of military aid provided by the European Union to Ukraine within the scope of the aforementioned fund has amounted to 3.6 billion euros so far.

The delivery of military equipment is the prerogative of the member states.

Although Ukraine’s demands for heavy weapons, modern tanks, long-range missiles and warplanes caused constant discussions in the EU countries, many EU countries, especially Germany, shipped military equipment to Ukraine within a year.

AA Reporters collected European countries’ military aid to Ukraine on the first anniversary of the war from the local press and open official sources.

Germany

After long discussions, Germany finally decided to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 main battle tanks to Ukraine. The tanks are expected to be delivered by the end of March.

Germany, which had previously sent 3 air defense systems, IRIS-T SLM missiles, a Patriot missile air defense system, 37 GEPARD anti-aircraft armored tanks and their ammunition nearly 6,000 ammunition, 500 Stingers and 2,700 anti-aircraft missiles Strela, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway 155 mm howitzers joint ventures.

Germany also has missile launchers, air surveillance radars, Mi-24 spare parts, reconnaissance drones, drone defense sensors, signal jammers, trailers, towing units, minesweepers, clearance vehicles and tanks, and heavy bridge systems. medium, armored vehicles, and various light and light vehicles. Heavy vehicles, ammunition sent.

France

In addition to helmets, flak jackets, night vision goggles and medical aids, the French soldiers trained 400 Ukrainian military personnel.

France, which has sent about 100 AMX10-RC light battle tanks, hundreds of anti-tank missiles, including 6 TRF1 and 18 CAESAR cannons, and 2 LRU multiple rocket launchers, has committed to sending hundreds of Mistral air defenses. Crotale and Mamba SAMP-T missiles and air defense systems.

Dutchman

In 2022, the Netherlands supplied Ukraine with ammunition, equipment and weapons, including 200 Stinger missiles, 50 FIM-92 Stinger launchers, 50 DM72A1 anti-tank missiles, AMRAAM missiles worth €15 million and an unspecified amount of Harpoon missiles.

The Netherlands, which has delivered 90 T-72 tanks to Ukraine as part of a heavily armed military support package worth 120 million euros with the United States and the Czech Republic, has announced that at least 100 Leopard 1 main battle tanks with spare parts will be purchased from Germany to Ukraine. .

It was also reported that the Dutch Ministry of Defense will contribute to the training of Ukrainian soldiers on Leopard tanks.

In addition, it was noted that two launchers for the air defense system and a number of missiles will be provided to Ukraine, and 65 Dutch soldiers will train 400 Ukrainian military personnel on Patriot air defense systems.

The Netherlands also announced that it is considering sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and that 2.5 billion euros from the 2023 budget is allocated to Ukraine to send military and humanitarian aid.

Italy

Since the beginning of the war, Italy has provided weapons of various sizes in line with 5 different resolutions passed by its parliament throughout 2022.

According to information in the Italian press, 450 million euros in aid was provided to Ukraine through the five separate decrees involved. Among them the exact number is unknown. It included 155-mm howitzers, Milan anti-tank missiles, 120-mm mortars, various machine guns and their arsenals, armored personnel carriers, trucks and medical kits.

In January, the Italian parliament adopted Decree VI extending arms aid to Ukraine until 2023, including the SAMP-T air defense system and missiles.

Spain

At the beginning of the Spanish aid came Hawk and Speed ​​air defense systems, cannon ammunition, winter military uniforms, 22 light military vehicles and 30 ambulances.

Spain delivered to Ukraine 6.7 million rifles and pistols with silencers and optical sights for them, 7.2 million hand grenades, smoke capsules, mines, demolition bombs, torpedoes and missiles, 3.7 million armored equipment, helmets and winter coats. And sent protective gear.

Although the Spanish government also announced that it would send 4 to 6 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, this has yet to happen.

Poland

Poland, which delivered 250 Soviet tanks to Ukraine, plans to deliver 60 modern tanks, including 14 Leopard 2 tanks, to Ukraine within the next month, along with 1,000 pieces of ammunition.

Poland also sent multiple rocket launchers, surface-to-air missile systems, self-propelled artillery systems, air-to-air missile systems, reconnaissance drones, man-portable air defense systems, mortars and more than 40,000 helmets.

Besides the S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 ammunition, Poland donated training packages for 42 infantry fighting vehicles and two mechanized battalions. In addition, Poland continues to deliver 155-mm Krab guns and various ammunition to Ukraine.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on February 14 that Warsaw remains one of the most active donor countries in helping Ukraine, both in terms of assistance to the population and the provision of military equipment. The amount of military support provided to Ukraine is calculated as 2.2 billion euros. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers are being trained in Poland.

Estonia

Estonia’s shipments include dozens of 155 mm and 122 mm howitzers and thousands of shells for them, over a hundred Carl Gustav anti-tank guns and over a thousand ammunition.

In the statement made on January 19, it was stated that with an additional €113m, a total of €370m would be given to Ukraine.

As part of the assistance, an unspecified number of FH70 howitzers and 7 vehicles transporting Alvis 4 protected vehicles were also sent from Estonia to Ukraine.

Lithuania

Lithuania has provided 240 million military support to Ukraine so far. Lithuania delivered L70 anti-aircraft guns, a howitzer and two Mi-8 helicopters, and Lithuania also sent a large number of armored vehicles, thermal cameras and drones.

Latvia

Latvia has provided about 370 million euros in military support to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

It is known that the country sent 30 truckloads of individual equipment and supplies (including combat helmets, dry food, medical devices, and medicines) to Ukraine at the start of the war.

The Riga Administration supplied Kiev with 10 Stinger anti-aircraft guns, additional air defense elements, two M-17 helicopters, machine guns, unmanned aerial vehicles and spare parts for the M109 howitzer. In addition, two Mil Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters and two Mil Mi-2 aircraft were sent along with the M109 Paladin artillery system, the numbers of which were not clear before.

Latvia plans to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year in programs ranging from basic infantry training to specialized courses.

Greece

After the start of the war in Ukraine, Greece decided to send military supplies to Ukraine in February 2022.

In the statement made by the Greek Prime Minister’s Office on February 27, 2022, it was indicated that a meeting was held chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the participation of Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos and Chief of the General Staff Konstandinos Floros. Within the framework of the meeting, and in response to Ukraine’s request, Greece decided, in consultation with its NATO and European Union allies, to send military supplies through Poland via two C-130 aircraft.

Having reached an agreement with Germany, Greece sent 20 BMP-1 armored vehicles to Ukraine.

AA