The Union demands the delivery of 200 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Defense Minister Lambrecht dismisses the issue. It is irresponsible to "want to plunder the Bundeswehr, especially in these times," says the SPD politician. The Inspector General is also critical of the proposal.
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has rejected a delivery of "Fuchs" armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, citing Germany's own security interests. "We support Ukraine with everything that is possible and responsible. But we have to guarantee Germany's ability to defend itself," said the SPD minister, responding to demands from the Union.
Lambrecht went on to explain: "It is therefore irresponsible to want to plunder the Bundeswehr, especially in these times, and to want to ignorantly ignore the military advice of the Inspector General." Inspector General Eberhard Zorn - Germany's highest-ranking soldier - had previously stated that he saw no leeway for leaving the tanks to Ukraine.
"The Bundeswehr has 825 'Fuchs' armored personnel carriers, but in different versions: radar carriers, radio interference tanks, personnel carriers, NBC reconnaissance tanks and medical variants, to name just a few. The 'Fuchs' is the platform for this," said Zorn on Tuesday. And: "We need these vehicles. I don't currently see a way to sell these vehicles or part of them."
With a decision by the Bundestag today, the Union faction wants to demand the short-term delivery of 200 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. The parliamentary group also refers to a decision taken jointly with the traffic light coalition in the Bundestag at the end of April to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine. "For the Ukrainian army, it is about the rapid delivery of reliable material that can be used immediately on the front line. Such material is in the inventory of the Bundeswehr and should be withdrawn from use by the Bundeswehr: the 'Fuchs' armored transport vehicle," it says in the application.
