United to win: Rheinmetall delivers 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine
Photo: BNS
Rheinmetall, a German company, has recently provided Ukraine with 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles. The vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of the third quarter of this year.
The company's press service reported that.
Under the " ring exchange " agreement, around 200 combat vehicles will be sent to Ukraine. Over a hundred of these are Marder 1A3 models.
The circular exchange agreement also allows the transfer of a significant quantity of other equipment, namely, Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard main battle tanks.
So far, the German government has ordered the latest batch of 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles provided to Ukraine and financed it in the mid-double-digit millions of euros.
The Marder combat vehicles directed towards Ukraine are the 1A3 model, equipped with a state-of-the-art laser rangefinder. This advanced tool greatly enhances the precision of striking targets on the battlefield, strengthening the vehicles' ability to withstand enemy attacks and giving Ukrainian forces an added technological edge.
The Rheinmetall company first received an order for the supply of these infantry fighting vehicles in March 2023 and has already completed the delivery of 20 units for Ukraine.
It is worth mentioning that Germany has allocated 120 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine as part of their military aid. Some of these vehicles have been purchased from Greece.
Marder is an infantry fighting vehicle developed by the German company Rheinmetall in 1966–1969 upon request from the German Armed Forces. The initial prototype was completed by 1969, with production lasting until 1975.
In total, about 2,000 combat vehicles were built.
Regarding security parameters, the Marder was superior to all competing vehicles at the time of its use. Since 2010, the Marder has been gradually replaced by the newer Puma infantry fighting vehicles.
The Marder combat vehicle is well-armored, highly efficient, and well-equipped with weapons, although it does have some flaws. Its primary weapon is the 20 mm Rheinmetall Mk 20 Rh202 gun.
One drawback of an automatic gun is the absence of a sight stabilizer, making it difficult to aim in motion. However, the weapon is enhanced with thermal imaging and night sights. It has a capacity of 1250 shells and an effective firing range of 2,500 meters. In addition, it is equipped with a twin 7.62mm MG3 machine gun loaded with 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
Photo: Bild
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At the beginning of the full-scale war, Germany gave Ukraine the most significant military aid among all European countries. In particular, Berlin provided the Ukrainian military with Patriot air defense systems, Leopard 2 tanks, PzH 2000 self-propelled guns, and other weapons.
In particular, there is now an agreement with Germany on the immediate strengthening of air defense. The agreement provides for agreements in which the signatory countries will contribute to joint projects or finance their own projects to strengthen the air defense capabilities of Ukraine's armed forces.
In August, the mass media reported that, according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's order, new requests for financing assistance to Ukraine would not be approved. However, Germany has already earmarked about 8 billion euros for military support to Ukraine for 2024.
At the same time, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that the government will allocate additional funds to supply weapons to Ukraine in 2024.
