Germany’s LEO spy satellites fitted with SAR payload lost function in orbit only months after launch due to antenna malfunction. According to the German news platform Der Spiegel, the two satellites, SARah-1 and SARah-2, couldn’t unfold their antennas, leading to a loss of function in orbit. SARah is a series of spy satellites fitted with a SAR payload that works as a constellation similar to SpaceX’s Starlink. OHB is blamed for the malfunction, as the antennas were tested inadequately before launch. According to a German news outlet, no ground tests have been conducted to open the issue.
The military stated that OHB would have to compensate by building two satellites to replace the malfunctioned ones. This isn’t Germany’s first time lacking discipline in testing military equipment. FFG was picked after competing with Rheinmetall for a deal to deliver 66 armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine. The MoD chose FFG because of its low costs and speedy delivery. According to a report by the German news portal Bild, the platform to be delivered, FFG APC, was built in an under-armoured state to withstand the threats that Ukrainian forces routinely confront.
Furthermore, the German MoD paid an exorbitant amount per vehicle: € 600,000. The pricing exceeds rational limits given the equipment, protection level, and price of vehicles in similar classes. German PzH 2000 155 mm SPGs provided second-hand to Ukraine are likewise expected to have fragility difficulties in 2022.
According to the New Voice of Ukraine, PzH 2000 155 mm SPGs are another example of German-supplied equipment that Ukraine lacks. Poor pre-delivery maintenance of second-hand howitzers resulted in barrel and loading system failures caused by excessive physical and thermal stress. German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch’s G36 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles are known for lacking accuracy due to the barrel’s low performance under battlefield conditions.
