Two more MARS II rocket artillery systems will be supplied to Ukraine, according to Germany’s Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht. As she spoke on Thursday in Berlin, the official also said Germany will give ammunition and training for the crews which will start as soon as this month, CNN reports.
"We have decided to deliver two more MARS II multiple rocket launchers, including 200 rockets, to Ukraine," Lambrecht said at a Bundeswehr conference.
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In addition to these MLRS, Ukraine is expected to receive 50 Dingo armored all-protected transport vehicles (ATVs) from the Bundeswehr stocks. As noted by Bild am Sonntag, this is the first time Berlin approves the provision of armored vehicles.
Ukraine had to literally fight for the German weapons, minister Lambrecht said, as quoted by Bild. The 'green light' for the new decisions was connected to Ukraine’s success in the counter-offensive in the Kharkiv direction.
"It is encouraging to see the successes Ukraine has been able to achieve in recent days, also with the help of German weapons. The brave and successful conduct of operations by the Ukrainian Armed Forces shows how important it is to provide Ukraine with further military equipment quickly," Christine Lambrecht said.
The "Dingo" has been in service with the German army since 2000. Designed for patrol and reconnaissance, the protection of this armored vehicle is said to withstand the explosions of mines, improvised explosive devices, small arms fire, munition fragments, grenades, etc.
Currently, this vehicle has two basic modifications: the Dingo 1 on the Unimog U-100-L chassis and Dingo 2 on the Unimog U5000 chassis (heavier, larger, with better protection and a more powerful engine).
The vehicle's armament is a KMW 1530module, borrowed from the Fennek reconnaissance vehicle, with a 7.62 MG3 machine gun, a 12.7mm Browning M2 machine gun and an HK GMG mounted grenade launcher. There is an option of remote control of weapons.
Finally, as confirmed by Lambrecht, the "ring exchange" process with Greece which provides for the delivery of its BMP-1 vehicles to Ukraine in exchange for German Marder, is currently "on the final straight".
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