Germany to equip Greece with armoured vehicles in exchange for delivering tanks to Ukraine

Germany will provide modern armoured vehicles to Greece so that government in Ans delivers Soviet-era tanks to Ukraine. development has been announced by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at end of a two-day European Council meeting of European Union leers in Brussels, Politico reported. Scholz announced that he h discussed tank exchange deal with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

Olaf Scholz has said that defence ministers of Greece and Germany will discuss deal regarding tank swap in "very concrete terms" and work to implement decision at earliest. Scholz h proposed tank swap scheme in April to avoid sending modern western tanks like Leopard or Marder infantry fighting vehicle directly to Ukraine, as per Politico report. German Chancellor has been avoiding sending tanks directly to Ukraine over fears that NATO could be dragged into war between Russia and Ukraine. German Chancellor has not revealed details regarding what kind of Soviet-era tanks will be sent to Ukraine. However, Greek Defence Ministry has announced that y will be providing BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine and will get an "equal number" of German Marder infantry fighting vehicles in return.

According to German officials, tank exchange deal between Greece and Germany will be favourable for Ukraine as armed forces will receive tank models which y have alrey operated or are familiar with. German government h a similar tank swap agreement with Czech Republic. Under tank exchange deal, Czech Republic will deliver soviet-era tanks to Ukraine and get 4 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and one Leopard tank recovery vehicle in return, as per news report. Furrmore, Scholz announced that he discussed a similar agreement with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during EU summit. development comes as war between Russia and Ukraine transcended 90 days. 

German Defence Committee Chief urges Scholz to provide Marder vehicles to Kyiv

Meanwhile, German Defence Committee Chief, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann called on Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, to provide 50 Marder Infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine at earliest. She urged Scholz to have a special coordinator for delivery of arms and "transport communication of German services to Ukraine," citing security reasons after delivery of 50 Marder Infantry fighting vehicles, Bild reported. Free Democratic Party leer Alexander Graf Lambsdorff also backed delivery of Marder vehicles to Ukraine. 

Image: AP