The first Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in Germany for training on the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. The group landed in Cologne on Thursday and should soon start training on the weapon system, as security circles explained to the German Press Agency in Berlin. The training is part of German military aid to Ukraine. The federal government has decided to hand over 40 Marder tanks and 14 Leopard-type main battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had already declared on Thursday during his inaugural visit to the troops in Altengrabow (Saxony-Anhalt) that training on the marten would begin “soon” in Munster, Lower Saxony. “And for the Ukrainian soldiers who will be trained on the Leopard, it will be a little later,” he said.
According to earlier information, the courses are limited to handling the vehicle and its weapon systems and to troubleshooting and basic maintenance in order to get through in the short time. The Ukrainian soldiers usually have previous technical knowledge or combat experience. Training had already been organized for the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the Gepard anti-aircraft gun.
Panzer Troops School in Munster
The Bundeswehr has a large military training area in Munster. There is also the Panzertruppenschule of the training command, the most important training facility of the army for armored combat troops.
Infantry fighting vehicles are intended for the protected transport of small groups of soldiers into and around the combat area and also provide fire support. So you have a crew for the operation of the vehicle and the weapons as well as Panzergrenadiers in the rear fighting compartment who also get out via a rear hatch and lead the fight “dismounted”. Soldiers protect and complement each other inside and outside the tank. Main battle tanks like the Leopard 1 or 2 have high firepower, a small permanent crew and are used to engage enemy tanks or other targets.
The US is sending Bradley armored personnel carriers to the country attacked by Russia and will also offer training. In addition, the federal government is following suit with the Patriot air defense system, which Washington had already promised to deliver to Ukraine shortly before Christmas.
