Germany provide Ukraine with 3 dozen armored vehicles of various types

31 January, 2024 Wisent 1 mine clearing tanks of the Ukrainian military.

2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: @Osinttechnical

Germany has provided Ukraine with another package of military aid, which includes armored vehicles for various purposes. The full list was published on the website of the German federal government. The new batch includes 24 Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), 4 Bandvagn 206 (BV206) tracked all-terrain vehicles, 1 Beaver bridge-laying tank with spare parts, 3 WISENT 1 mine clearing tanks and 14 special mine clearing systems.

In addition, the package contains missiles for the IRIS-T air defense system, more than a thousand 155mm artillery ammunition, a system against sea mines, Satcom surveillance system, 4 cars for border service, 450 snow chains and 194 thousands of single module group rations.

Iris-T air-to-air missile. Photo from open sources

"Germany continues supporting Ukraine in its efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities. This new supply of military aid will help Ukraine ensure security and protection on its territory," said a representative of the federal government.

Leopard 1 based vehicles

The Wisent 1 is known as the Armored Recovery Vehicle 2000 or ARV 2000.

Essentially based on the modified hull of the Leopard 1 main battle tank with the turret removed, it can accommodate different systems depending on the role. Demining is one of the most difficult tasks in the field. To enable armies around the world to carry out this task quickly, safely and securely, the FFG developed the Wisent 1 MC demining system.

In addition, the Wisent 1 MC is equipped with a lane marking system that allows subsequent troops to safely pass through cleared fields.

Wisent 1 MC mine clearing tanks. Photo credits: Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft

In turn, transferred Beaver bridge-laying tanks, which carry and deploy the bridge at a river crossing, are also based on the chassis of Leopard 1 tank. Instead of a turret, Beaver is equipped with a bridge erection system.

The bridge is laid horizontally, the main advantage of such design is an invisibility for the enemy.

Beaver bridge-laying tanks. Photo credits: Bundeswehr

The bridge has an aluminum structure and consists of two sections of 11 meters.

The total length is 22 meters and it can cover an obstacle 20 meters long.