Greece and the U.S. have realised the swap agreement for Ukraine. Greece will deliver 40 BMP-1 IFVs to Ukraine. In return, a minimum of 40 Marder will start duty in the Hellenic Army inventory. The first batch includes six vehicles. According to local media, 34 more Marder will be delivered to Greece in the following weeks. German Chancellor announced the equipment swap deal with Athens in May 2022.
It is expected that the vehicles are planned to deploy Turkish border region after acceptance. Ammunition, spare parts, transportation and training issues will also be free of charge, according to sources.
Turkiye has 15-ton class ACV-15 infantry fighting vehicles equipped with 25 millimetres as the main weapon. Vehicles provide ballistic protection against 14.5x114 millimetres armour piercing rounds. 30-ton class Marder offers lower-level firepower but provides better armour protection to the crew, which is resistant to up to 20 millimetres of armour-piercing ammunition. Turkiye will need to accelerate next-generation infantry fighting vehicle projects in the near future in the case of Marder delivery.
