The device from Bundeswehr stocks is intended to enable Ukrainian troops to overcome water or other obstacles.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin, Athens Germany is expanding its military support for Ukraine. As the Ministry of Defense announced on Friday, a total of 16 Biber armored bridge-laying vehicles will be delivered from Bundeswehr stocks. The engineer vehicles should enable the Ukrainian troops to overcome water or other obstacles in battle. The first six tanks are scheduled to be delivered this fall, with the remaining ten next year.
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) had previously announced that Germany would also provide a so-called NBC defense package. It consists of six vehicles with equipment for decontamination after nuclear, biological or chemical attacks.
According to the ministry, five of a total of 30 Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles, three Mars multiple rocket launchers and 33 of a total of 54 M-113 armored personnel carriers have now arrived in Ukraine. The latter come from Danish stocks, but Germany financed and organized the conversion.
According to a government spokeswoman, the Iris-T missile system, which can protect Ukrainian cities from air raids, is expected to arrive in Ukraine before the end of this year.
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According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), there is also movement in the desired ring exchange. The idea behind this is that eastern NATO allies should hand over Soviet-era weapons to Ukraine and receive replacements from the West.
According to government information, the Bundeswehr cannot currently do without any martens.
(Photo: dpa)
According to government circles, Greece is ready to deliver around 100 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, but wants to wait until it has received Marder from Germany as a replacement.
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Defense Minister Lambrecht has always emphasized that no martens can be handed over from Bundeswehr stocks because they are needed to fulfill the alliance’s obligations. However, the armaments industry submitted export applications for decommissioned Marder tanks a long time ago.
During their stay in Greece, Baerbock said there had already been mutual visits to inspect the tanks. Ukraine is also included. “I think we’re on the right track here,” Baerbock said.
The federal government is already negotiating further ring exchanges with Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia. The government in Warsaw, which has already had more than 200 main battle tanks delivered to Ukraine, was recently disappointed that Germany initially only wanted to offer 20 Leopard 2 tanks as replacements. Instead, Poland now wants to shop in the US and South Korea.
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