Germany says Ukrainian instructors will prepare German army for defense against russia by 2029
The head of the German army, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, said that Ukrainian instructors will help the German military achieve the goal of being ready to defend against any russian attack on NATO by 2029. He said this in an interview with Reuters.
"We have high hopes. The Ukrainian army is currently the only one in the world that has experience of fighting against russia," the head of the German army said.
In February, Germany and Ukraine signed an agreement that provides for the involvement of Ukrainian instructors in training at German military schools. Freuding noted that Germany was the first country to agree with Ukraine to provide military instructors, but believes that other countries will follow its example.
Asked about the contribution of Ukrainian instructors, he cited estimates by German and other Western intelligence agencies that russia could be ready for a large-scale attack on the NATO military alliance by 2029.
"It's almost the day after tomorrow. We don't have time – the enemy doesn't wait for us to announce our readiness. So we have to use every opportunity to prepare," Freuding said.
The aggressor state, russia, claims it has no intention of attacking NATO, while Western officials say such assurances cannot be taken at face value, as Moscow made similar statements before its invasion of Ukraine.
According to Freuding, the initial contingent of Ukrainian instructors will likely number "dozens" and will stay for several weeks. The Ukrainian instructors are expected to share their expertise in artillery, engineering, armored operations, drone operations, and command and control.
The publication notes that since the start of the full-scale war, Germany has been training Ukrainian troops in the use of weapons such as Marder infantry fighting vehicles, Leopard tanks, howitzers, and air defense systems.
According to the German army chief, Ukraine has developed these skills in combat by developing tactics and capabilities in data-centric warfare, a military term that refers to highly digitized and interconnected operations that cannot be found in textbooks.
"The fact that they are now coming to us as instructors is evidence of a security partnership on an equal footing," Freuding said.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, meanwhile, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine has received 11 requests from countries bordering Iran, as well as from the US and Europe, for assistance in shooting down Iranian drones.
Meanwhile, Germany has collected about 30 Patriot interceptor missiles for Ukraine. This is an initiative of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who proposed to partner countries that Germany would provide Ukraine with five PAC-3 missiles from the Bundeswehr warehouses if other states provide another 30 guided missiles.