Germany delivered the first six of 40 Marder tanks to Greece on Tuesday.
The Greek Armed Forces announced the delivery in a press release, noting it was part of a swap deal between the two countries announced earlier this year.
Under the ‘Ringtausch Scheme’, Greece has agreed to send its Soviet-era armed combat vehicles to Ukraine, receiving modern German tanks as replacements.
“The arrival of Marder 1A3 will continue in the next period according to schedule aiming at the upgrading of the army’s strength in battle and the strengthening of the army’s interoperability,” the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) said in the press release.
Germany is set to hand over a further 34 Marder IFVs to Greece while Greece will pass on 40 of its Soviet-built BMP-1 IFVs to Ukraine.
Euractiv reported on Tuesday that another 14 tanks are due to arrive in Greece by October 21.
German officials have argued the tank swap is advantageous because Ukraine will receive identical tank models its soldiers and mechanics are familiar with, while NATO partners like Greece can upgrade their military gear.
READ MORE: Greece to send tanks to Ukraine under German deal
