[Goose]

Gepard (German automatic cannon air defense vehicle) engaging an Iranian drone

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/16104...5MyYbGkXXg

This is definitely a more cost effective way of dealing with cheap drones than using NASAMS, though of course Ukraine only has a limited number of Gepards as well.

Indeed it is more cost effective. It is also true that Germany has lots of Gepards in storage they could provide. It would help a lot and not actually cost too much. Getting them to do it is the issue. The ammunition is also a bit of a problem due to the Swiss connection. That may be a limiting factor as well.

The Gepard's radar unfortunately isn't very "good", partly due to obsolescence, partly due to the fact it needed to be highly mobile, but mostly due to the fact the original weapons range (it's guns) is pretty limited. This means it has a smaller protection footprint than an NASAMS, but it is also smaller and cheaper. If Russia were actually operating an air force, the Gepards would be missile magnets, but since they aren't, it is a viable weapons system.

[Goose]

Gepard (German automatic cannon air defense vehicle) engaging an Iranian drone

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/16104...5MyYbGkXXg

This is definitely a more cost effective way of dealing with cheap drones than using NASAMS, though of course Ukraine only has a limited number of Gepards as well.

Indeed it is more cost effective. It is also true that Germany has lots of Gepards in storage they could provide. It would help a lot and not actually cost too much. Getting them to do it is the issue. The ammunition is also a bit of a problem due to the Swiss connection. That may be a limiting factor as well.

The Gepard's radar unfortunately isn't very "good", partly due to obsolescence, partly due to the fact it needed to be highly mobile, but mostly due to the fact the original weapons range (it's guns) is pretty limited. This means it has a smaller protection footprint than an NASAMS, but it is also smaller and cheaper. If Russia were actually operating an air force, the Gepards would be missile magnets, but since they aren't, it is a viable weapons system.