President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed on Thursday to send armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, while the delivery of a Patriot air defense system was also announced from Berlin.
“The United States intends to provide Ukraine with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Germany intends to provide Ukraine with Marder fighting vehicles. Both countries plan to train Ukrainian forces in the respective systems,” the White House said in a statement.
The Bradley and Marder fighting vehicles will be part of a new phase in Western weapons supply.
“At the end of December, the United States announced the donation of a Patriot air defense missile battery to Ukraine. Germany will join the United States in supplying an additional Patriot air defense battery,” the joint statement of the conversation between Biden and Scholz also noted.
Biden and Scholz “reiterated their support for Ukrainian sovereignty and independence. They reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.”
kyiv has long pushed for heavier weapons, including tanks, that would allow it to go on the offensive. But the West has been mostly reluctant, citing fears of being drawn into war or further provoking Russia.
But that idea seems to have changed. While the Bradleys and Marders are not tanks, they are considered powerful weapons capable of taking on Russian equipment. The Bradley usually comes armed with a light cannon, a machine gun, and anti-tank missiles.
France promised to deliver AMX-10 RC light tanks, a wheeled vehicle without tracks but carrying a much heavier gun typical of a tank.
