Following Germany's promise to hand over Marder BMPs to Ukraine to counter the Russian invasion, ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) MP Nils Schmid has revealed their number on the air of rbb24 Inforadio and when exactly Ukraine receives the vehicles.

"We assume that the Bundeswehr can do without 40 of these vehicles or use industrial stocks. It will take some time for the Ukrainians to familiarize themselves with them. Still, we will be able to deliver these weapons in the first quarter of this year," said Schmid, the SPD parliamentary group's spokesperson for foreign affairs in the German Bundestag.

Schmid also rejected accusations that the decision was made only now. According to him, Germany was in close coordination with NATO partners.

"We are far from tired of backing Ukraine," Schmid said, clarifying that there is "no taboo" on arms deliveries, but they must be a response to the escalation of the war, and NATO cannot be drawn into the war.

On January 5, after a conversation between the US and German leaders, Joe Biden and Olaf Scholz, it became known that the US would provide Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles while Germany would supply Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

In addition, following the United States, Germany will supply Ukraine with an additional battery of the Patriot missile defence system.