Belgium is preparing a new significant delivery for the Ukrainian army: it concerns 15 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns Gepard, which are to be purchased, undergo major refurbishment, and then sent to Ukraine. For the Israeli audience, this story is important for several reasons. Firstly, at the center of the deal is the company OIP, associated with the Israeli Elbit Systems. Secondly, the topic of air defense for Ukraine has long gone beyond a local European issue: it concerns the resilience of the rear, the protection of energy, cities, and infrastructure in the conditions of a protracted war.
According to available data from “Militarniy” on April 22, 2026, the decision is being advanced by the Belgian Ministry of Defense, and the purchase itself is included in a broader package of military aid from Brussels amounting to about 1 billion euros, approved in early April 2026. This shows that European countries continue to seek not only new weapons systems but also old platforms that can be quickly returned to service.
What exactly is Belgium buying
It concerns 15 Gepard systems, previously in service with the Belgian army. At one time, Belgium had about 54 such machines, but in the 2000s they were decommissioned. Later, this equipment ended up with the company Sabiex, which was then absorbed by OIP. Now it is OIP, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, that is featured as the key supplier in this scheme.
Before being transferred to Ukraine, all machines must undergo a full refurbishment, meaning deep restoration and bringing them to the highest possible combat readiness. This is not a formal “cosmetic” process, but an important stage without which old equipment cannot operate in the conditions of a modern front, where the load on air defense remains extremely high.
Why this deal is important for Ukraine and Israel
Gepard has long been considered one of the most practical tools against low-flying aerial threats.
This is especially true for kamikaze drones and cruise missiles, which Russia regularly uses to strike Ukrainian cities, energy facilities, and logistics. Against the backdrop of a constant hunt for relatively inexpensive but effective air defense means, such systems remain in high demand.
The strong point of Gepard is the combination of its own radar and two 35-mm guns. This is why the system is often considered a more economical solution compared to expensive anti-aircraft missiles, which are not always rational to use on cheap drones. For Ukraine, this is not a theoretical debate, but daily military mathematics.
For the Israeli reader, there is also a separate industrial storyline here. The story shows how the Israeli defense circuit — even through subsidiaries and related structures in Europe — is integrated into one of the largest processes of modern warfare in Europe. In this context, NAnovosti — Israel News | Nikk.Agency draws attention not only to the fact of the supply but also to the broader meaning: Israeli defense technologies, assets, and corporate connections are increasingly becoming part of the international security architecture around Ukraine.
Why Europe is bringing old platforms back into service
The deal with Gepard shows another important trend: European states are increasingly working not only with new orders but also with private stocks, reserves, decommissioned equipment, and platforms that can be restored in a short time. This is faster than waiting for completely new systems and sometimes more effective in terms of urgent front needs.
Brussels does not disclose the exact cost of the purchase and repair. But even without an official figure, it is clear that this episode is not a minor auxiliary supply, but a noticeable element of a billion-euro aid package. When it comes to equipment that needs to be purchased, repaired, adapted, and prepared for transfer to the war zone, expenses almost always turn out to be significant.
War context: not a one-time supply, but part of a long line of support
The story with the Belgian Gepards did not arise out of nowhere.
Back in September 2025, Denys Shmyhal, who was then the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, discussed with the leadership of KNDS Deutschland issues of supplies, technical support, and joint production related to these anti-aircraft systems. It was already clear then that Ukraine and its partners view Gepard not as a temporary solution for one season, but as a working system that needs to be maintained, serviced, and integrated into a long-term defense model.
Special attention is paid to the idea of a joint venture between KNDS and a major Ukrainian manufacturer. The logic here is clear: the more maintenance, repair, spare parts, and ammunition can be provided on the territory of Ukraine itself, the more sustainable the entire system of using such installations becomes. In the conditions of war, this means fewer delays, a higher readiness coefficient, and more chances to quickly return equipment to service after intensive use.
For Israel and the Israeli audience, this story is also important as an example of how modern warfare is changing the defense industry market. The old division into “decommissioned” and “irrelevant” is becoming less significant if equipment can be brought back to life and integrated into current combat tasks.
That is why the deal around Elbit, OIP, Belgium, and Ukraine does not look like a random episode, but part of a larger process where Europe urgently gathers all available tools to strengthen Ukrainian air defense.
As a result, it is not just about 15 machines. It is about a model in which European aid to Ukraine is built through a combination of government decisions, private assets, defense cooperation, and industrial restoration. And for Kyiv, this means one thing: even old platforms, if properly restored and maintained, can remain an extremely valuable resource in a war of attrition.