German military requests armored fighting vehicles for Afghanistan
BERLIN The German military has requested armored fighting vehicles to better protect its troops in Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
Commanders have asked for "a handful" of Marder infantry fighting vehicles for German troops in Afghanistan, ministry spokesman Joachim Schmidt said.
While the government must still approve the deployment, "it makes military sense" to send the vehicles, which German troops already use on their peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, Schmidt said.
Most of the 2,700 German soldiers serving in the NATO-led international force in Afghanistan are in the relatively stable north of the country.
German officials say attacks on its forces there have increased and are resisting pressure for them to reinforce other NATO troops battling Taliban rebels in the south.
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NATO is heavying up.
5 Marders will/will probably be sent
Canada is moving in the Leo-1s
The Dutch have PZ-200s over there
BERLIN The German military has requested armored fighting vehicles to better protect its troops in Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
Commanders have asked for "a handful" of Marder infantry fighting vehicles for German troops in Afghanistan, ministry spokesman Joachim Schmidt said.
While the government must still approve the deployment, "it makes military sense" to send the vehicles, which German troops already use on their peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, Schmidt said.
Most of the 2,700 German soldiers serving in the NATO-led international force in Afghanistan are in the relatively stable north of the country.
German officials say attacks on its forces there have increased and are resisting pressure for them to reinforce other NATO troops battling Taliban rebels in the south.
-------
NATO is heavying up.
5 Marders will/will probably be sent
Canada is moving in the Leo-1s
The Dutch have PZ-200s over there
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