Ukraine should receive them by the end of March 2023BERLIN, January 9th.
/tass/. Germany is experiencing difficulties with the preparation for the transfer to Ukraine of 40 infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) Marder, promised earlier by the German government. This assessment was given by the publication Der Spiegel.
It points out, with reference to sources in the military, political and expert circles of Germany, that the authorities of the republic still "cannot give a clear answer" how they intend to find and prepare 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles for transfer to Ukraine, which should happen by the end of March 2023. According to documents distributed last week by the German Ministry of Defense, the authorities of the republic intend to use "both the reserves of industry and the Bundeswehr" to implement these plans.
In particular, the Rheinmetall defense concern, which is engaged in the production of these combat vehicles, has only 60 decommissioned Marder units, the modernization of which "cannot be carried out within the deadlines set by the government." Thus, the "overwhelming majority" of the German infantry fighting vehicles will have to be transferred from among the units of military equipment "in service with the Bundeswehr".
At the same time, representatives of the German military circles note that of the 370 Marder infantry fighting vehicles available to the German armed forces, "only 62% of the vehicles are ready for operational use." About 60 units are in such an unsatisfactory condition that they are "used as a source of spare parts," the publication clarifies.
On January 5, following telephone talks between US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the parties issued a joint statement in which it was reported that the United States administration intends to supply Ukraine with American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and Germany with Marder infantry fighting vehicles. It also noted that both countries plan to train Ukrainian troops to manage the relevant systems.