Germany delivers initial anti-aircraft shell consignment to Ukraine

German arms maker Rheinmetall announced on Tuesday that it has delivered an initial consignment of anti-aircraft shells to Ukraine for use in the Gepard armoured vehicles being used to counter Russian air attacks, reported dpa.

Further consignments are set to follow, with a total of 40,000 rounds delivered by the end of the year. The German government is paying for the ammunition and has ordered a total of 300,000 rounds.

Germany has delivered 46 Gepards to Ukraine thus far, and a further six have been pledged. The self-propelled artillery with two cannons was phased out by the German military more than 10 years ago.

Restarting production of the shells was complex, as the equipment had to be redesigned in part. Manufacture is being carried out at Unterlüß in the German state of Lower Saxony.

Two types are being made: high-explosive incendiary to bring down drones, helicopters and other fixed-wing planes and sub-calibre ammunition with projectiles made of heavy metal that are designed to attack armoured vehicles.

Rheinmetall previously manufactured the ammunition in Switzerland and had to set up production in Germany after the Swiss refused to supply arms to Ukraine in line with their policy of neutrality.