 |
| Germany Will Send 16 Biber Bridge Tanks to Ukraine |
Berlin - Germany plans to send 16 Biber bridge tanks to Ukraine to help Kiev forces overcome rivers or other obstacles in combat. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht Says "The first six systems will be delivered later this year, and another 10 systems will follow next year,"
The package also includes transportation, repair, and training, along with the vehicle itself. According to Military Today, the tanks carry and deploy attack bridges to help troops cross rivers, trenches, and other obstacles on the battlefield, and can cover a range of 60 feet in minutes.
The Biber tank, based on the modified Leopard 1 main battle tank chassis, is the latest to be added to the growing arsenal of Western supplies for Ukraine.
Germany also recently agreed to transfer other weapons to Ukraine, including 15 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, and recently delivered several Mars II dual rocket systems and the PzH 2000 howitzer.
Until February this year, Germany had a policy of not sending weapons to war zones but made a historic exception after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite its promises, Berlin has faced criticism over delays in delivering the promised weapons.
The United States also recently sent Ukraine HIMARS, short for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which has been credited with strengthening Ukrainian forces against Russia.
Ukraine has launched a new counteroffensive in the country's south, aiming to retake the city of Kershon, which fell at the start of the Russian invasion. The port city is on the delta of the Black Sea and the Dnipro River.
The war for control of the river system was hinted at last month when the US agreed to supply 18 patrol boats to help Ukraine protect its waterways as part of a $450 million security aid package. "The package includes two 35-foot-long small vessels, six 40-foot-long maritime battleships, and ten 34-foot Dauntless Sea Ark patrol boats," the US Department of Defense said.
“This is largely to protect the riverway and to allow Ukraine to maintain its control over the riverway. They can also be used in near coastal areas," a senior defense official said during a briefing at the Pentagon.