A German instructor explains the turret of the armoured self-propelled howitzer (Panzerhaubitze 2000) to a Ukrainian gunner.

In addition to training on the Medium Artillery Rocket System II (MARS II), since May 2022, the artillery school in the southwest of Germany has been providing training which the gunners need to operate the howitzer – to protect Ukraine from Russia.

The country which was attacked - in violation of international law - has received artillery systems of this type from the Netherlands, Italy and Germany over the past year, as well as rocket launchers MARS II and MLRS from the United Kingdom and also from Germany.

Effective training

The EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine is ensuring the effective training of Ukrainian soldiers to use this artillery to defend their country. The part of the mission that Germany leads is managed by the "Special Training Command" with the abbreviation ST-C. Its multinational staff is based in Strausberg, near Berlin. The word "special" comes from the fact that special skills are trained, such as operating the technically complex Panzerhaubitze 2000. And only the German artillery school can train them.

Suddenly there is hissing and cracking in the turret of the gun. The practice insert: automatic ammunition supply failed! The task now is to rearrange the processes so that the firefight can continue. No gunner finds that funny. Ukrainian swear words get loud. But the trainees do everything right: "Fire mission accomplished, enemy crushed.”

Constant duty

Let's call the gunner Serhii. He has been on duty constantly since Russia occupied the Donbas in 2014. Serhii, how do you deal with this stress? Ten to twelve hours of training every day and the news of the war at home? He smiles a little and says, "Humour. You cannot survive the war without humour.”

His superior is on site, physically an "edge" of the soldier. And a thoughtful person: “Civilians and soldiers die every day. That doesn't work in the 21st century. You must continue to help us.” He calls his country the protective shield for Europe. He pronounces the word Panzerhaubitze in German. “Unfortunately, the artillery had been neglected for years. But artillery is the greatest force on the ground!”

According to the Commander  , the German instructors give their all. One has been with the Ukrainian gunners since May last year continuously, "Always full throttle." The artillery school has been providing multinational training "for decades".

"But trainees coming from a war for a war - that has a completely different quality." A particularly sad example: The brother of a Ukrainian gunner died. How to help the young man who comes from a country where men are not allowed to cry? Such mental aspects are also taken into account in the howitzer training.

Highly motivated

“The Ukrainians”, says a German sergeant, "understand incredibly quickly". It is obvious that they are highly motivated. Intercultural competence is increasing on both sides every day. While stressed German artillerymen may raise their voices when transmitting commands. The Ukrainians speak more slowly. "Nice to know," says another coach.

The next day, the course is completed. The German instructors stand guard as their Ukrainian comrades get on the bus. Three days later they are back at the front. In the war.