German arms manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) confirmed on Wednesday that the Germany’s government approved the sale of self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.
Citing a spokesperson for manufacturer KMW, reported that Germany has approved the sale of 100 PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze) self-propelled howitzers worth 1.7 billion euros ($1.72 billion) to Ukraine.
According to a Spiegel report, KMW has already started manufacturing the howitzers, the full run of which will take several years to complete.
In addition, earlier in June, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that Ukraine has received first German-made 155 mm howitzers donated by Berlin to support to counter Russian troops.
“Panzerhaubitze 2000 are finally part of 155 mm howitzer arsenal of the Ukrainian artillery,” Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov tweeted, adding, “I highly appreciate the efforts of my colleague, Christine Lambrecht,” referring to Germany’s defense minister. Reznikov also thanked the Netherlands, which sent the German weapons.
Ukraine has received 12 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers donated by the Dutch and German governments.
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is a 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer developed by German manufacturers KMW and Rheinmetall and is considered one of the most powerful artillery systems used by western militaries today.