Ministry of Defense demonstrated Marder infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine
29 March, 2023 Marder IFV in Ukraine, March 2023. Frame from the video Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, demonstrated the German Marder infantry fighting vehicles that arrived in Ukraine.
He published a video capturing the vehicle on his Twitter page. "Marder is an excellent example of German quality. I've tried it myself.
We are looking forward to mastering Leopards soon. I like the way they roar!" Oleksii Reznikov wrote. He also thanked Anka Feldhusen, German Ambassador to Ukraine, Boris Pistorius, German Minister of Defense, and the people of Germany for helping Ukraine.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine personally piloted one of the vehicles.
Ukrainian Air Assault Forces soldiers received the infantry fighting vehicles.
Oleksii Reznikov in the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, March 2023. Frame from the video
Previously, Oleksii Reznikov published a photo from the training ground, where he, together with Major General Maksym Myrhorodsky, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, tested the received equipment.
In addition to the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, the photo shows the Stryker armored fighting vehicle, the Challenger 2 tank, and the Cougar and Roshel Senator armored vehicles.
Handover of military equipment to the Command of Air Assault Forces with the participation of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, March 27, 2023. Photo credits: Oleksii Reznikov
On March 21, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Marder infantry fighting vehicles were on their way to Ukraine. In total, the country's government handed over 40 units of this equipment to the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
The first servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine arrived in Germany for training on infantry fighting vehicles on January 26.
Marder infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine, March 2023. Frame from the video
Marder IFV was developed in the 1960s by order of the German Armed Forces by the German company Rheinmetall AG.
The IFV is armed with an RH 202 20mm autocannon and a twin MG3 7.62mm machine gun mounted on a carriage over a two-seat turret. The Rh 202 gun uses 20x139 mm shells.
Marder infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine, March 2023. Frame from the video
The vehicle can accommodate 10 soldiers, three of which are crew members. The commander and gunner are seated in the turret, and the driver is in front of the hull on the left side.
The fighting compartment is located in the middle of the IFV`s hull.