The German federal government has decided to deliver to Ukraine seven Panzerhaubitzen 2000 howitzers from the Bundeswehr stocks.
This was reported by the Die Welt daily citing its sources.
According to the newspaper, the political decision of the Chancellery and the Defense Ministry was taken against the advice of senior military officials in the Bundeswehr. They had previously noted that only about 40 of the 119 Panzerhaubitzen 2000 in service with the Bundeswehr are combat-ready and indispensable for Germany's own needs.
The use of weapons for Ukraine, which have a sophisticated digital fire control system, was also questioned by the German military. However, the government has ignored these concerns, although it has long expressed fears that the transfer of heavy weapons to Ukraine could weaken the Bundeswehr.
The Panzerhaubitzen 2000 are heavy artillery systems capable of firing up to 40 kilometers.
The Netherlands had earlier promised Kiev the delivery of five such howitzers.
The Ukrainian army will be trained entirely in Germany for the weapons system.
Last week the federal government approved the export of heavy weapons from Germany for the first time: 50 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.
There are no plans yet to deliver Western main battle tanks, such as the Leopard, from Germany to Ukraine.