Ukraine's drone-killing Gepards to get resupply of vital high-explosive ammo
Ukraine has tasked a German weapons manufacturer to deliver additional stocks of 35mm high-explosive rounds for its Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles in response to ammunition shortages.
Rheinmetall has been commissioned to supply the nation's armed forces with 180,000 rounds of HEI-T ammunition (high explosive incendiary with tracer).
The Gepard anti-aircraft weapons system has dual 35mm Oerlikon cannons and can effectively target aircraft and attack drones, as well as ground targets.
The machine has a combat range of up to 6,000m, automatic cannons, is all-weather-capable and can be used both day and night.
Due to Russia's relentless aerial attacks against Ukraine, the weapon systems have been described as being almost permanently in action, making ammunition consumption correspondingly high.
The shortages of ammunition have been exacerbated by the refusal of Switzerland to allow Ukraine to be supplied with the ammunition it made for Germany and Denmark, due to its neutral status regarding the ongoing conflict.
A neutral country remains impartial, and neither assists nor attacks either side involved in a military campaign, war or conflict.
To ease the shortage, Norwegian firm Nammo began producing Gepard-compliant ammunition for Ukraine and Rheinmetall has now set up a dedicated manufacturing plant in Germany.
"The ordered ammunition can be used to effectively engage various airborne targets, such as drones," said Rheinmetall.
"It will be produced at Rheinmetall's site in Unterlüß.
"Due to the increased demand for 35mm ammunition, the production line at the site was rebuilt at great expense in a very short time in the spring of 2023.
"Until today, the Federal Republic of Germany has handed over a total of 55 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, which had been decommissioned by the Bundeswehr.
"There, they have proven their value in air defence for more than two years."
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