The German machine-building plant Rheinmetall applied to the government. The document discussed the transfer of modern military equipment to Ukraine — 100 tanks of the Marder model.
Dirk Nibel was previously a minister in Germany, but now he runs a military factory. This means that Nibel can assess the country’s real capacity to help Ukraine. Nibel and company Rheinmetall are ready to send Ukraine Marder tanks and $20 billion for ammunition. According to the expert, this should not affect the defensive capabilities of Germany.
The relevant document has already been submitted to the German government for consideration. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in no hurry to hand over the infantry tanks to Ukraine.
The government does not issue a decision (which should logically be positive), citing clerical issues. Another German excuse is that Ukrainians do not know how to operate these models. Dirk Nibel considers these reasons for not signing the document as excuses.
"Anyone who has ever driven a tank in the Ukrainian army can get behind the wheel of this car. And anyone who has ever operated a cannon in an armored vehicle in the Ukrainian army can control a 20-millimeter cannon himself. The military just needs to know how to open and close the door," he said in an interview with the newspaper Tagesspiegel.
The expert also believes that Germany would take 2-3 weeks to deliver weapons to Ukraine after obtaining permission. Moreover, the Rheinmetall has already started preparing 100 tanks at its own risk. This means that once Olaf Scholz permits to search for a buyer, Ukraine will immediately be able to apply for tanks and get them in no more than 3 weeks.
"Do you (German government — ed.) want to waste more time? It will cost even more lives. You should give Ukraine the support it needs now in the fight for survival," also said Dirk Nibel in an interview.
