The Federal Security Council of Germany has been blocking the supply of 100 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine for more than a month, reports Bild.
Journalists got hold of an internal memo from the German Defense Ministry. It states that the first hundred usable IFVs could be repaired in merely six weeks, and the rest would take more than 15 months.
Had the German authorities approved the supply of vehicles in March, the Armed Forces of Ukraine could successfully use Marders in defense from the russian occupation forces, affirms the publication.
IFV manufacturer Rheinmetall initially did not dare to ask the German government to approve an agreement with Ukraine on the transfer of equipment.
The company finally applied on April 22. However, the document is still not approved by the German authorities.
The head of the Rheinmetall said that the company would be able to deliver the first batch of IFV Marder in three weeks but was waiting for a decision from the German government.
Ukraine will receive the first 15 anti-aircraft armoured fighting vehicles Gepard, from Germany in July.