BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The Defense Ministry is preparing to hand over infantry fighting vehicles from the Bundeswehr's stocks following the delivery commitment to Ukraine. According to information from the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, however, a corresponding examination was still underway in the defense department on Friday. It was also being examined how the goal of a rapid transfer of 40 of the infantry fighting vehicles could be achieved.

The Bundeswehr has a total of around 370 Marder vehicles, many of which have to be overhauled before deployment. In addition, Marder are tied up for the NATO commitment in the Rapid Reaction Force (VJTF) after the deployment of the more modern Puma was put on hold.

Back in the summer, manufacturer Rheinmetall had offered 100 of the infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine. In the meantime, 40 of these are destined for Greece, which is supplying Soviet-designed infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine in exchange ("ring swap"). Another 60 Marder are being refurbished and overhauled and could therefore be handed over to Ukraine sooner or later.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and U.S. President Joe Biden had agreed in a telephone conversation Thursday evening to supply Ukraine for the first time with infantry fighting vehicles to fight Russian aggressors. However, the practical implementation of the delivery program did not appear to be finally planned by the German side on Friday./cn/DP/ngu