Western military equipment provided to Ukraine to combat Russian aggression is often in need of repair, but the repair process is significantly slowed down by the lack of necessary spare parts and bureaucratic obstacles. According to DW, due to the intensive use, in particular, of the German Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, a lot of equipment breaks down, and repairs often take several months.
One of the Ukrainian gunners talked about problems with German howitzers, which often suffer from software failures, overheating of control systems and barrels. According to him, sometimes even up to two-thirds of the howitzers fail, and the repair process is delayed due to a shortage of spare parts.
However, the problems are not only technical problems. The lack of necessary spare parts, as well as the difficulty of obtaining export licenses for each part, significantly slows down the repair process. Sources said it could take several months to obtain a license for each spare part, adding to delays.
Despite the difficulties, efforts are being made to improve the situation. The Franco-German arms group KNDS opened an office in Kyiv to improve coordination with the Ukrainian authorities and speed up the repair of equipment. Germany is also working to provide the Armed Forces with materials for self-maintenance.
The German government has expressed its intention to create a "military Schengen zone", which will simplify the process of obtaining licenses within the EU and speed up the transportation of weapons between member countries. These steps can greatly facilitate the process of repairing equipment and speed up its return to the front.
