Germany may send restored Marder armoured vehicles to Ukraine

The German company Rheinmetall has restored 16 units of Marder -1A3 infantry fighting vehicles developed in 1960 from among those in storage with the German Armed Forces.

Theoretically, these armoured vehicles can be supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but the German government has not yet granted the company an export license, the Centre for Analysis of the World Arms Trade (CAWAT) reports, citing a statement by Rheinmetall of the ARD television and radio company.

"Despite this [the absence of license], Rheinmetall has already begun the restoration of 14 more machines. Rheinmetall has received infantry fighting vehicles from German storage bases and is upgrading them for commercial sale to a foreign customer. If necessary, the Ukrainian Armed Forces can be supplied with up to 70 more armoured vehicles in storage," CAWAT writes.

The upgraded Marder-1A3 armoured vehicle is equipped with a MELLS launcher for launching anti-tank guided missiles of the Spike family, a new Hensoldt Spectus sight, caterpillars and a fire extinguishing system from the Puma infantry fighting vehicle.