Ukraine Receives First US-Purchased Jordanian Gepard Cheetah Anti-Aircraft Guns.

On June 5, 2024, the Ukrainian forces shared images on their social media of the first 60 Gepard Cheetah air defense systems, purchased by the United States from Jordan in November 2023. This delivery is set to double the close-range air defense capabilities of the Ukrainian forces, significantly bolstering their ability to protect against aerial threats.

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United States provides Gepard Cheetah air defense systems (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

According to Ukrainian forces, the team underwent intensive training in Germany for two months and continues to hone their skills through regular training and developing algorithms for various operational situations. Currently, they are targeting Russian BPLA drones and cruise missiles, enhancing their effectiveness in neutralizing aerial attacks and maximizing target destruction, as indicated by the deputy chief of current operations at the Western Air Command. During a recent exercise, their training aircraft, simulating a cruise missile, was detected and destroyed in a controlled scenario, demonstrating the crew's ability to engage and neutralize aerial threats. On June 2nd, within their area of responsibility, the units destroyed 18 Russian X-101/X-555 and "Kalibr" cruise missiles and 6 Shahed-131/136 type drones during an attack on critical infrastructure, confirming the efficiency and professionalism of these air defense groups.

The United States recently completed the purchase of 60 Gepard 1A2 35 mm air defense systems from Jordan for a total amount of $118,375,740 (approximately €110 million). Originally, these systems, known as Cheetahs or 'pruttels', were sold to Jordan by the Netherlands in 2013 for €21 million (approximately $22.4 million). The transfer of these vehicles by the Dutch armed forces marked the end of their use of these systems, which were shipped from Eemshaven to Jordan. This operation not only generated funds for Dutch defense but also provided training to Jordanian instructors on the operation and maintenance of these systems.

The contract with the United States was finalized on May 31, 2023, when the U.S. Department of Defense placed an order worth nearly $118.4 million with Global Military Products (GMP), a company specializing in defense procurement. Based in Tampa and Sarasota, Florida, with a logistics hub in Sarasota, GMP is a veteran-owned small business and positions itself as a leading system integrator, specializing in the supply and delivery of ammunition, supplies, weapons, and platforms that meet both U.S. standards and others.

Dutch Gepards utilize a radar operating in X-band with circular polarization and a target acquisition antenna in X/Ka bands, allowing for target detection up to 13 km. In comparison, the German Gepard systems function with an S-band radar and only horizontal polarization, with an antenna in Ku bands and a detection range of 15 km. Operationally, this difference means that Dutch Gepards could be slightly more effective in conditions of weak or disrupted signals, thanks to their ability to adjust frequencies at six points, as opposed to only two for the German systems. This could allow the Dutch Gepards to be more flexible and responsive when facing varied targets or in complex operational environments.

The Jordan Gepard 1A2, also known as the Cheetah, is a 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft system developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) between 1976 and 1980. It is built on the chassis of the Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank and features a two-man turret armed with two 35 mm Oerlikon Contraves KDA cannons. Each cannon is loaded with 310 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition and 20 rounds of armor-piercing ammunition. The Gepard boasts a maximum road speed of 65 km/h and a road cruising range of 550 km, enhancing its operational mobility.

One of the distinguishing features of the Gepard is its sophisticated radar systems, which provide continuous airspace surveillance. This capability is crucial for its effectiveness in targeting and engaging aerial threats. The 35mm cannons have a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute, making the Gepard particularly effective against various airborne threats, including drones like the Iranian Shahed-136. Additionally, the Dutch variant of the Gepard, known as PRTL (PantserRupsTegenLuchtdoelen), includes an X-band search radar with a 15 km range and an X/Ka-band tracking radar with a 13 km range. Defensive features include six smoke grenade dischargers on each side of the turret.

In 2022, the performance of the Gepard in Ukraine was notably praised. A Ukrainian defense attaché in the United States reported that a single Gepard effectively neutralized more than ten Shahed-136 drones and two cruise missiles. Such operational success demonstrates the Gepard’s cost-effectiveness and operational viability, making it a preferred choice over more sophisticated and expensive air defense systems like NASAMS or IRIS-T missiles. This preference is due to the lower cost per engagement and the higher availability of munitions compared to surface-to-air missile systems and MANPADS.

From an armament perspective, the Gepard is equipped with a two-man turret that houses two externally mounted Oerlikon Contraves 35 mm KDA cannons on either side. The ammunition for the anti-aircraft guns is fed via fixed and moving chutes, hermetically sealed from the fighting compartment. The turret, powered by an electrically driven 40 kW generator driven by a 4-cylinder, 3.8-liter Mercedes-Benz OM 314 multi-fuel engine, allows for the firing of a wide range of munitions. These include HEI (High-explosive incendiary), HEI-T (High-explosive incendiary Tracer), SAPHEI-T (Armor Piercing/High Explosive/Incendiary with Tracer), FAPDS (Frangible Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot), and more. The cannons can reach a maximum firing range of 5,500 m with FAPDS ammunition, with additional defense provided by four 76 mm smoke grenade dischargers mounted on each side of the turret.

One of the key features of the Gepard is its radar systems, ensuring continuous airspace surveillance and contributing to its effectiveness in engaging targets. The 35mm cannons exhibit a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute, making it highly effective against various threats, including drones such as the Iranian Shahed-136 drone. It's worth noting that the Dutch variant of the Gepard, denoted as PRTL (PantserRupsTegenLuchtdoelen), incorporates an X-band search radar with a 15 km range and an X/Ka-band tracking radar with a 13 km range. Additionally, the turret is outfitted with six smoke grenade dischargers on each side, adding to its defensive capabilities.

Currently, Ukraine has 67 Gepard systems supplied by Germany. With the imminent arrival of the first batch of 60 Gepard Cheetahs purchased from Jordan by the United States, the close-range air defense capabilities of the Ukrainian forces could soon double. This significant increase in their anti-aircraft arsenal will allow them to maximize their defense in a cost-effective manner.

United States provides Gepard Cheetah air defense systems (Pictures source: Ukraine MoD)