Following a government order, Rheinmetall, the German arms manufacturer, is set to send 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to Ukraine while concurrently delivering a mobile field hospital to the armed forces.
Rheinmetall recently disclosed its commitment to deliver an additional 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine at “a high double-digit million-euro amount”. The order was initiated by the German government in August and officially announced on September 11.
This expansion of the supply line elevates the total number of Marder vehicles commissioned by Germany for Ukraine to 80, with an initial batch of 20 dispatched in March and a subsequent 20 ordered in June, currently undergoing refurbishment and delivery.
Additionally, Ukraine received 20 Marders from the German military’s existing inventory back in March, further reinforcing its military capabilities.
According to the company, Rheinmetall is revamping Marder 1A3 systems previously utilized by the German military, restoring them to peak combat readiness “at its own cost.” The company has committed to delivering as many as 10 vehicles monthly.
Recently, the company also announced the delivery of a mobile field hospital to Ukrainian armed forces. In September 2022, the German Ministry of Defence awarded Rheinmetall Mobile Systeme GmbH (RMS), a subsidiary of Rheinmetall Group, a €9 million contract for a mobile field hospital and associated training support, which is delivered to Ukraine today.
The facility includes 32 beds, comprising eight intensive care units, an operating room with sterilization facilities, diagnostic imaging technology (x-ray and CT scans), a laboratory, a pharmacy, and administrative sections. These facilities adhere to NATO Role 2 medical support standards.
Additionally, RMS is scheduled to supply two high-mobility medical support facilities to Ukraine in late 2023 and early 2024. To facilitate transportation, Rheinmetall provided ten truck-trailer combinations for the delivery of twenty containers.
During the NATO summit in Vilnius held in July, Berlin unveiled its most recent substantial military assistance package for Ukraine. In addition to the planned refurbishment of 40 Marder IFVs by Rheinmetall, this package encompassed 24 Leopard 1A5 tanks, two Patriot launchers, 20,000 artillery rounds, and additional forms of support.
