Germany will supply anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine in policy switch

Berlin had faced backlash for its previous policy of supplying only ‘non-lethal’ weapons

German Defence Secretary Christine Lambrecht speaks to the media during the Ukraine Security Consultative Group meeting at Ramstein air base (Getty Images)

Germany has announced it will approve the delivery of anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine for the first time - marking a major policy shift.

Defence minister Christine Lambrecht made the announcement at a US-hosted meeting of 40 nations coordinating military support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

“We decided yesterday that Germany will facilitate the delivery of Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine,” Ms Lambrecht said at Ramstein military base, according to the script of her speech.