A confidential and extensive list of military hardware requested by Kyiv has been leaked to the German press, revealing the sheer scale of Ukraine’s armament needs amid its ongoing war with Russia. The document, reportedly handed to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, was intended to remain secret. Berlin has maintained a policy of not publicizing details of arms deliveries to avoid providing strategic information to Moscow. However, the details of the multi-billion euro request have now surfaced, painting a picture of a Ukrainian military in dire need of advanced Western technology.
The wishlist is reportedly divided into three main categories: air defense, armored vehicles, and electronic warfare. At the top of the list is a request for four additional batteries of the advanced German-made IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems, which have proven highly effective in defending Ukrainian skies. To support its broader air defense network, Kyiv is also asking for 2,000 guided missiles for various systems and a staggering 200,000 40mm artillery shells, specifically for countering the constant threat of Russian drones.
On the ground, Ukraine is seeking a massive boost to its mobility and protection. The leaked document includes a request for 1,000 mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles and 200 other tracked vehicles of various types. Highlighting the challenges of breaching Russian defensive lines, the list also specifies a need for 30 mine-clearing tanks and 30 armored demining vehicles. Additionally, a request for 200 specialized all-terrain vehicles indicates a focus on enhancing the operational capabilities of its special forces.
In the crucial domain of electronic warfare, Ukraine has asked for 1,000 GPS jammers to disrupt Russian drone navigation and 200 ground surveillance radar systems to improve target detection. This comprehensive request underscores the critical shortages of both equipment and ammunition faced by Ukrainian forces, a situation exacerbated by a recent pause in military aid from the United States. The leak puts significant pressure on Berlin to respond as Ukraine’s need for support grows more urgent.
The German government has officially declined to comment on the leaked list, with the Ministry of Defence citing the Chancellor’s directive on operational secrecy. However, Berlin’s decision-making process is complicated by its own domestic priorities. Germany is reportedly planning a massive rearmament of its own armed forces, the Bundeswehr, to meet its NATO commitments. According to sources, this could involve ordering up to 3,500 new tanks and armored vehicles at a potential cost of 25 billion euros, creating a potential conflict between supplying Ukraine and rebuilding Germany’s own military capabilities.