German Rheinmetall delivers additional Marder IFVs to Ukraine

Germany's Rheinmetall has delivered 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, completing the transfer by the end of the third quarter of 2024.

This latest shipment brings the total number of combat vehicles provided to Ukraine—either directly or through a circular exchange—to approximately 200, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The majority of these systems are Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles, as the company noted. Additionally, Rheinmetall has supplied other Marder vehicles and Leopard main battle tanks in significant quantities through similar arrangements. The recent order for 20 Marder IFVs, funded by the German government, is valued in the mid double-digit millions of euros and was finalized back in March 2024.

The initial delivery of 20 Marder 1A3 vehicles was arranged by Rheinmetall on behalf of the German government in March 2023, with subsequent shipments following.

The Marder 1A3 version being delivered by Rheinmetall to the Ukraine features additional laser rangefinders for efficient and precise target engagement. The first delivery of 20 combat vehicles of this type was arranged by Rheinmetall on behalf of the German government in March 2023; further deliveries followed, each in the double digits.

As early as in the spring of 2022, Rheinmetall began taking over and refurbishing Marder 1A3 IFVs from Bundeswehr stocks – initially at its own expense. Since then, the combat vehicles have been repaired for their immediate deployment. The work is carried out at the corporation's sites in Unterlüß and Kassel.

The Marder is one of the most proven weapon systems of its kind worldwide. It was developed for the Bundeswehr, and is still in service there to some extent. Over the years, it has been modernised several times and its combat performance enhanced. In the meantime, the Puma has been introduced into the Bundeswehr, where it is gradually replacing the Marder in the army. Over 300 of the cutting-edge IFVs are now in use by the German armed forces.

As an integrated technology group, the listed company Rheinmetall AG, headquartered in Düsseldorf, stands for a company that is as strong in substance as it is successful internationally, and that is active in various markets with an innovative range of products and services. Rheinmetall is a leading international systems supplier in the defence industry and at the same time a driver of forward-looking technological and industrial innovations in the civilian markets. The focus on sustainability is an integral part of Rheinmetall's strategy. The company aims to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2035.

Rheinmetall is experiencing substantial growth due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, anticipating continued profit increases. In 2023, the company reported a 12 per cent rise in turnover to €7.1 billion, while net profit grew by 9 per cent to €0.6 billion.

By Vafa Guliyeva