Sending weapons to the Kiev administration has been on the agenda of the EU and its member states since February 24, 2022, when Russia started the war in Ukraine.
Following the war, the EU decided, for the first time in its history, to finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and other military equipment. EU treaties prohibit the Union from using its regular budget to finance military operations. For this, the EU used the extra-budgetary European Peace Fund. In this context, first aid worth 500 million Euros was given on 26 February. The EU also launched a mission to train 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers in November 2022.
The amount of military aid provided by the EU to Ukraine within the scope of the said fund has reached 3.6 billion euros.
The delivery of military equipment is within the jurisdiction of the member states.
Although Ukraine’s demands for heavy weapons, modern tanks, long-range missiles and warplanes caused ongoing debates in EU countries, many EU countries, especially Germany, shipped military equipment to Ukraine within a year.
AA correspondents compiled the military aid of European countries to Ukraine on the first anniversary of the war from local press and open official sources.
Germany
After long discussions, Germany finally decided to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Delivery of the tanks is expected by the end of March.
Germany, which had previously sent 3 IRIS-T SLM air defense systems and missiles and a PATRIOT missile air defense system, 37 GEPARD armored anti-aircraft tanks and its approximately 6,000 ammunition, 500 STINGER and 2,700 STRELA anti-aircraft missiles and the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and 155 mm howitzers with joint projects.
Germany also has rocket launchers, air surveillance radars, Mi-24 spare parts, reconnaissance drones, drone defense sensors, signal jammers, trailers, towing units, minesweepers and clearance vehicles and tanks, heavy and medium bridge systems, armored vehicles and various light and heavy vehicles. sent ammunition.
France
Since the beginning of the war, France has provided 550 million euros worth of military aid to Ukraine.
In addition to helmets, protective vests, night vision binoculars and medical aids, French soldiers trained 400 Ukrainian army members.
France, which has sent about 100 AMX10-RC type light battle tanks, hundreds of anti-tank missiles, including 6 TRF1 cannons and 18 CAESAR cannons, and 2 LRU type multiple rocket launchers, has made a commitment to send hundreds of Mistral air defense missiles and Crotale and Mamba SAMP-T air defense systems.
Holland
In 2022, the Netherlands supplied Ukraine with ammunition, equipment and weapons, including 200 Stinger missiles, 50 FIM-92 Stinger launchers, 50 DM72A1 anti-tank shells, €15 million worth of AMRAAM missiles and an unspecified amount of Harpoon missiles.
The Netherlands, which delivered 90 T-72 tanks to Ukraine as part of a 120 million euro heavily armed military support package with the USA and Czechia, announced that at least 100 Leopard 1 main battle tanks with spare parts will be purchased from Germany to be given to Ukraine.
It was also reported that the Dutch Ministry of Defense will contribute to the training of Ukrainian soldiers for Leopard tanks.
In addition, it was noted that two air defense system launchers and a number of missiles will be supplied to Ukraine, 65 Dutch soldiers will train 400 Ukrainian military personnel on Patriot air defense systems.
The Netherlands also announced that it is considering sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and 2.5 billion euros from the 2023 budget is reserved for Ukraine to send military and humanitarian aid.
Italy
Since the beginning of the war, Italy has provided weapons in different sizes in line with 5 different decrees passed by its parliament throughout 2022.
According to the information reflected in the Italian press, 450 million euros of aid was given to Ukraine with the 5 separate decrees in question. Among them, the exact number is not known; It featured 155 mm howitzers, anti-tank MILAN missiles, 120 mm mortars, different machine guns and their arsenals, armored personnel carriers, trucks and medical kits.
In January, the Italian parliament adopted the 6th decree extending arms aid to Ukraine for 2023, including the Samp-T air defense system and missiles.
Spain
At the beginning of Spain’s aid, Hawk and Aspide air defense systems, cannon ammunition, winter military uniforms, 22 light military vehicles and 30 ambulances came.
Spain delivered to Ukraine 6.7 million rifles and pistols with silencers and optical sights for them, 7.2 million grenades, smoke capsules, mines, demolition bombs, torpedoes and rockets, 3.7 million armored equipment, helmets, winter coats. and sent a protective uniform.
Although the Spanish government has also announced that it will send 4 to 6 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, this has not happened yet.
Poland
Poland, which has delivered 250 Soviet-type tanks to Ukraine, plans to deliver 60 modern tanks, including 14 Leopard 2s, to Ukraine within the next month, with 1000 pieces of ammunition.
Poland also sent multiple rocket launchers, surface-to-air missile systems, self-propelled artillery systems, air-to-air missile systems, reconnaissance drones, portable air defense systems, mortars, and more than 40,000 helmets.
Besides S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 ammunition, Poland donated training packages for 42 infantry fighting vehicles and two mechanized battalions. In addition, Poland continues to deliver 155 mm KRAB howitzers and various ammunition to Ukraine.
Warsaw remains one of the most active donor countries in helping Ukraine, both in terms of aid to the population and the supply of military equipment, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on February 14th. The amount of military support provided to Ukraine is calculated as 2.2 billion euros. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers are trained in Poland.
Estonia
Estonia’s shipments include dozens of 155mm and 122mm howitzers and thousands of shells for them, over a hundred Carl Gustaf anti-tank guns and more than a thousand ammunition.
In the statement made on January 19, it was stated that with an additional 113 million euros, a total of 370 million euros would be provided to Ukraine.
As part of the aid, an unspecified number of FH70 howitzers and 7 Alvis 4 protected mobility vehicles were also sent from Estonia to Ukraine.
Lithuania
Lithuania has provided 240 million military support to Ukraine so far. Delivering L70 anti-aircraft guns, Howitzer and two Mi-8 helicopters, Lithuania also sent a large number of armored vehicles, thermal cameras and drones.
Latvia
Latvia has provided about 370 million euros in military support to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
It is known that the country sent 30 truckloads of individual equipment and supplies (including combat helmets, dry food, medical devices and medicines) to Ukraine at the beginning of the war.
The Riga administration provided Kiev with 10 Stinger anti-aircraft guns, additional air defense elements, 2 M-17 helicopters, machine guns, unmanned aerial vehicles and spare parts for the M109 howitzer. In addition, two Mil Mi-8MTV-1 and two Mil Mi-2 helicopters were sent alongside the “M109 Paladin” artillery system, the numbers of which were not clear before.
Latvia plans to train around 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year in programs ranging from basic infantry training to specialized courses.
Greece
Right after the start of the war in Ukraine, Greece decided to send military supplies to Ukraine in February 2022.
In the statement made by the Greek Prime Minister’s Office on February 27, 2022, it was noted that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis with the participation of Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos and Chief of General Staff Konstandinos Floros. Within the scope of the meeting, in response to Ukraine’s request, Greece, in consultation with its NATO and EU allies, decided to send military supplies via Poland via 2 C-130 aircraft.
After reaching an agreement with Germany, Greece sent 20 BMP-1 type armored vehicles to Ukraine.