The company revealed on Tuesday that it had received an order from the German Ministry of Defence for 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which are expected to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of July. The cost of the order remains uncertain, but estimates suggest it could be in the mid-double-digit million euro range.
This follows the previous delivery of 40 Marder vehicles to Ukraine, with 20 provided by Rheinmetall and the other 20 from Bundeswehr stocks. In addition, Rheinmetall is offering 60 more Marder vehicles, which are currently undergoing refurbishment. The company aims to complete 10 vehicles every month.
The Marder, which has been in use by the Bundeswehr since the 1970s, is gradually being replaced by its successor, the Puma. For Ukraine, Rheinmetall is refurbishing old infantry fighting vehicles to make them suitable for frontline use.
In another development, Rheinmetall is set to ship the first batch of 35-millimeter ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank by the end of July. This ammunition is urgently needed in Ukraine and initially involves 10,000 rounds. Originally, Switzerland was expected to supply this ammunition, but they declined due to neutrality reasons. As a result, Rheinmetall established a new facility in Unterlüß to produce the Gepard ammunition.
The Gepard anti-aircraft tank plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense against Russian kamikaze drones. Rheinmetall has a contract to supply a total of 300,000 rounds of Gepard ammunition. Although the Bundeswehr has decommissioned the Gepard, it is experiencing renewed significance in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
Additionally, Rheinmetall plans to collaborate with a Ukrainian company to manufacture Fuchs transport tanks within Ukraine. It is anticipated that 40 tanks could be completed this year, with the potential for up to 100 per year in the future. However, this project is still pending official approvals and clarification of financing matters.
