bobdina
05-19-2010, 10:41 AM
Germany Deploys More Fighting Equipment to Afghanistan
By ALBRECHT MüLLER
Published: 18 May 2010 15:35
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BERLIN - After the mid-April decision to deploy Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns to the north of Afghanistan, German Defense Secretary Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg announced additional heavy materiel, such as infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), also would be sent.
While emphasizing this does not represent a general arms build-up, he told the German weekly magazine Focus that another 15 Marder IFVs would be transported to the north of Afghanistan. In addition, the Bundeswehr troops would be equipped with Panzerschnellbrücke 2 vehicle-launched bridges and Dachs tracked engineer tanks.
According to the Bundeswehr Operations Command, Bundeswehr troops in Afghanistan have 10 Marder IFVs with Büffel tracked salvage tanks. Including about 100 Fuchs armored personnel carriers and about 200 Dingo protected wheeled vehicles, the military has about 1,000 protected vehicles on location.
While the IFVs and self-propelled guns start heading toward the Hindu Kush, the Bundeswehr still has no plans to send its heaviest weapon, the Leopard 2 main battle tank, according to a Bundeswehr Operations Command spokesperson.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4622930&c=EUR&s=LAN
By ALBRECHT MüLLER
Published: 18 May 2010 15:35
Print Print | Print Email
BERLIN - After the mid-April decision to deploy Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns to the north of Afghanistan, German Defense Secretary Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg announced additional heavy materiel, such as infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), also would be sent.
While emphasizing this does not represent a general arms build-up, he told the German weekly magazine Focus that another 15 Marder IFVs would be transported to the north of Afghanistan. In addition, the Bundeswehr troops would be equipped with Panzerschnellbrücke 2 vehicle-launched bridges and Dachs tracked engineer tanks.
According to the Bundeswehr Operations Command, Bundeswehr troops in Afghanistan have 10 Marder IFVs with Büffel tracked salvage tanks. Including about 100 Fuchs armored personnel carriers and about 200 Dingo protected wheeled vehicles, the military has about 1,000 protected vehicles on location.
While the IFVs and self-propelled guns start heading toward the Hindu Kush, the Bundeswehr still has no plans to send its heaviest weapon, the Leopard 2 main battle tank, according to a Bundeswehr Operations Command spokesperson.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4622930&c=EUR&s=LAN