Rheinmetall modernising IFVs for Jordan under German military assistance programme
The German government has contracted Rheinmetall to upgrade a further 25 MARDER infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) from surplus Germany Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) stocks for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) with delivery to begin in the first quarter of 2018. The contract was awarded under a German military aid programme aimed at bolstering the capabilities of the JAF in the fight against international terrorism as well as for border security and stabilisation missions. Booked in October 2017, the order is worth over €17 million without value added tax.
Under the contract, Rheinmetall will supply Jordan with 25 fully modernised, former German military MARDER 1A3 IFVs, painted in a desert camouflage pattern. The package also encompasses spare parts, ammunition, documentation, special tools, customer support on location, as well as training for operators and maintenance personnel.
In addition to Germany, Chile and Indonesia have also opted for the vehicle, with Jordan now being the fourth nation to deploy the enhanced-performance MARDER. Rheinmetall already supplied the Hashemite Kingdom with 25 vehicles of this type in 2016/2017. The MARDER 1A3 weighs about 35 tonnes. Its 600 HP-engine enables a top speed of around 65 km/h, and the fighting compartment is roomy enough to seat nine soldiers. A 20mm RH-202 automatic cannon serves as the vehicle’s main armament.
DPM
