Germany supports Ukraine more than many realize. The chancellor is politely silent on the accusations of shirking. He should now sell our help more offensively and up the ante.

The whole EU – if not the world – makes fun of Berlin. There is only chatter there, but the Ukraine is not helped. The whole thing is fueled by Ambassador Melnyk, who defeats Putin almost every day – from the chair of a talk show.

The verdict is unfair in many respects, even though Berlin, like almost every other country, could do more for Ukraine than it has done so far.

For one thing, there are illusions about what Germany can achieve. The Federal Republic may be a giant economically, but it is not militarily. The problems lie in the size of the armed forces and their structure. Roughly speaking, the Bundeswehr has far less operational material than soldiers. This applies to the large systems that are ready for use and ends with small items such as night vision devices. For deployments abroad or for exercises, the deployed troops still have to gather equipment all over the republic so that at least these units are properly equipped. For this begging there is of course a Bundeswehr nice-speak, but it does not eliminate the deficiency. This grievance has grown for a long time, but it only has to do with the Ukraine insofar as the Bundeswehr is not sitting on full magazines from which generous distributions can be made.

No reserve army

The shortage is exacerbated by another special feature: We have the active Bundeswehr and that’s about it. We have no second or third line troops like National Guard, militia or reserve. For which older, but usable and reasonably maintained material is then hoarded somewhere. Countries that maintain such a second army can hand over material more easily. Because the gifts do not weaken the actual combat troops. Equipment for entire divisions was still kept here during the Cold War, but that is over. Berlin scrapped the excess material or gave it away cheaply or for free. This is how the huge numbers of Leopard tanks in Greece and Turkey can be explained.

Warehouse is not just warehouse

There are also warehouses with used material in Germany. But this equipment, including battle tanks and armored personnel carriers, was not extensively maintained as in Finland and Switzerland so that reserve troops could use it. It sat somewhere for years. Mostly to maybe use it as a base material for a complete modernization. In short: Germany is not in a position to deliver large quantities of large equipment from the functional inventory (!). Our stock of Panzerhaubitzen 2000 is about 100 pieces, some of which are definitely not operational. Unfortunately, you can only give away small amounts of the remaining ones.

The situation is somewhat different with smaller war equipment. This can still be used with little effort, even if it is a bit outdated. And Ukraine got a lot of that, too. The delivery of Strela-type manpads and the sturdy Panzerfaust 3 have been reported. But in the war zone you can also see German Milan missiles, anti-tank mines and other armaments.

Better no training?

In addition, there is the accusation that Germany has not delivered any heavy equipment. Here it is maliciously withheld that the devices – self-propelled howitzers and cheetahs – are already in service with the Ukraine. Only because Berlin took over the training of the crew in addition to the material, the weapons are still here. For Kyiv, that’s a far better deal than just taking the guns to the border and dumping them there. In addition, the more modern and better the large systems are, the more important training is. But that also means that the promised super-modern air defense system won’t be in Kharkov in three weeks. becomes. If you search through Russian propaganda accounts, you can quickly get an idea of ​​how long donated artillery lasts at the front if the crews are only taught the essentials in a crash course.

Illusion about free capacities

There are no large magazines of functional equipment, the Bundeswehr itself is undersupplied rather than oversupplied. The armaments industry remains. Ready to deliver. At least in principle. When it comes to the details, it gets more complicated. Even if it’s impolite, you have to say it out loud: Kyiv wants to order, but can’t pay for the goods. In essence, it is not about exports, but about gifts from the German taxpayer. Apart from this side aspect, it is not the case that the industry has large capacities in the near future. The production is sort of booked out. For obvious reasons, Kyiv cannot take a backseat. That means: Essentially, material for Kyiv has to be diverted from other customers’ orders. Our foreign minister has to work hard to ensure that other countries are prepared to forego one or two rocket launchers in favor of Kiev in the current threat situation. But don’t expect miracles. You only have to look at how many years it takes to modernize the Bundeswehr Leopards to get an idea of ​​the capacities.

Foreign exchange is also a weapon

Finally, one should not forget that Kyiv receives a lot of money from Berlin coffers. That’s just money, people gossip. But foreign exchange isn’t “just” money – Kyiv can buy weapons for cash at any time on the international arms market. Be it used material or armaments from countries that want to help Ukraine but cannot afford expensive gifts. German money can also be transferred with Turkish combat drones. What is lacking is communication. Chancellor Scholz is silent, he would have to show off and explain what his government is doing for Ukraine day by day.

Europe must put in the armament turbo

And yes: it is not enough. Deliveries from other countries will not be enough either. Kiev’s losses at the front with the extensive destruction of its own armaments industry mean that the allies have to cover the needs of a fully-fledged full-scale war. That can’t be done with old stuff from the military rest ramp. This war is not fought with skirmishes, but with heavy firefights 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He eats armor material at breakneck speed. The West must say goodbye to the idea of ​​stopping Russia on the side without much effort. Even if it’s a cliché: “Blood, sweat and tears” speeches are necessary, not only, but also from Olaf Scholz.

The chancellor must pull himself together, otherwise Germany will become the Watschenmann in the event of a defeat. Otherwise politics is so big in telegenic chancellor summits. What speaks against the chancellor and the heads of the German armaments industry and the unions coming together to discuss how the production of armaments can be ramped up and what will help Kyiv the most. These will probably not be “great” large systems, even if the public likes to believe in magic bullets. Quite normal armaments in large quantities are decided – such as ammunition, which is then manufactured in three shifts seven days a week for Kiev’s troops.