United to win: Ukraine to receive 40 more Marder vehicles from Germany
The German government mandated the Rheinmetall arms manufacturer to supply 40 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
The order for a "high double-digit million-euro amount" was placed back in August 2023. Rheinmetall continues to overhaul these machines, Rubryka reports, citing the company's press service.
With the new delivery, the total of Marder IFVs Rheinmetall delivered to Ukraine will reach 80. In March, the company shipped the first 20 infantry fighting vehicles ordered by the German government. In June 2023, another 20 BMPs were ordered; they are now being refurbished and shipped.
Rheinmetall said that the equipment includes overhauled Marder 1A3 systems that used to belong to the Bundeswehr. As early as the spring of 2022, the Rheinmetall, at its own expense, began to bring infantry fighting vehicles to a state of immediate combat readiness.
Work is already underway at the Rheinmetall plants in Kassel and Unterluss. The group can deliver up to ten infantry fighting vehicles per month.
Rheinmetall calls the Marder infantry fighting vehicle "one of the most reliable weapons systems of its kind." These BMPs were developed for the Bundeswehr and are still in service with the German army.
Background
Photo: Marder IFV (Getty Images)
The Marder combat vehicle is well-protected by armor and is quite fast and well-armed, although not without flaws. The main armament of the Marder is the 20 mm Rheinmetall Mk 20 Rh202 cannon.
One of the disadvantages of an automatic gun is the lack of a sight stabilizer, which prevents aiming fire on the move. However, the vehicle is equipped with thermal imaging and night sights. Ammunition is 1250 shells. The effective firing range is 2,500 meters. An additional weapon is a twin 7.62mm MG3 machine gun with 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
One of the disadvantages is that the Milan ATGM prevents firing from the main 20-mm gun. To fire from it, the ATGM must be removed. The Marder has a 600 hp MTU MB 833 Ea-500 diesel engine. This allows soldiers to develop a maximum speed of 65 km/h on the highway. The armor of the Marder BMP is welded steel that protects the crew and troops from small arms and 20 mm guns. The stern and sides are also protected from shrapnel, artillery shells, and small arms.
In version 1A3, additional armor plates were installed on the sides for better crew protection, and the front part began to withstand the impact of 30 mm guns.
Rubryks reported that the German arms company Rheinmetall is negotiating the construction of a tank plant in Ukraine.
It was also reported that the Rheinmetall plans to produce tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition in Ukraine.
