BERLIN (AA) – The German government is planning to approve the shipment of dozens of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, local media reported on Tuesday.
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht will announce the government’s plan during a meeting of NATO defense ministers at Ramstein Air Base later in the day, according to Der Spiegel news magazine.
German defense firm Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) had announced in February that it could deliver some 50 Gepard tanks to Ukraine from its own stocks.
Germany has faced growing pressure from allies in recent weeks to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine, including tanks, artillery and air defense systems.
The government earlier approved sending defensive weapons and other military equipment, but has been reluctant to dispatch heavy weapons, fearing a direct military confrontation with Russia.