German concern Rheinmetall will supply Kiev with 20 Marder BMP
Germany plans to transfer to Ukraine an additional batch of infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) Marder. This was announced on Tuesday, June 6, by the defense concern Rheinmetall.
It is noted that the German Defense Ministry has instructed Rheinmetall to prepare 20 BMP from internal reserves for transportation and further use in the coming months. The estimated amount of the contract is several tens of millions of euros.
This delivery will be an addition to the 40 BMP that Kiev has already received.
Earlier, on May 31, it became known that the German government will purchase 66 wheeled armored personnel carriers (APC) and 110 Leopard tanks for the Ukrainian army. Funding for the initiative to build the country's security capacity will amount to €5.4 billion for 2023 and additional commitment permits in subsequent years in the amount of €10.5 billion.
These funds will be used, in particular, to replenish the reserves of the federal armed forces carrying out supplies, as well as for Germany's contributions to the European Peace Fund, from which expenses related to military assistance to Ukraine can be reimbursed.
On the eve of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. During the conversation, he said that Germany will continue to support Kiev, including in the military sphere, in close coordination with European and international partners
Prior to that, on May 26, the German Chancellor noted that attempts to resolve the situation around Ukraine should not lead to a freezing of the conflict. According to him, Kiev itself must determine the conditions for a just peace. At the same time, it is not necessary to interfere in the formulation of such conditions by the Ukrainian side, he said.
Germany, like most Western countries, increased the volume of military assistance for the Ukrainian side after Russia launched a special operation. Germany has already delivered 18 Leopard 2A6 tanks and 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles.
