The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany transmitted a batch of Piranha armored vehicles to the National Army. The vehicles will be used to train soldiers who are to be detached to take part in international peacekeeping operations, IPN reports.
Minister of Defense Anatolie Usatyi said the objective to modernize and outfit the National Army with modern equipment remains a priority. The armored vehicles are being distributed to Peacekeeping Battalion No. 22, which is taking part in all the international peacekeeping operations involving Moldova. They will enable to train the soldiers who will be detached in the best way and to also fulfill missions in Moldova.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Germany in Moldova Ullrich Kinne noted that this is the first part of the armored personnel carriers that are to be delivered over the next months. “The Moldovan-German cooperation in the field of defense will this way move to a new level of quality. This batch improves the defense capacities of the Republic of Moldova and its capacities to take part in international peacekeeping missions. This participation is highly appreciated at international level. Germany is delighted to make this significant contribution in this regard,” stated the German official.
The donation consists of 19 Piranha IIIH armored wheeled vehicles. The other vehicles are to be delivered later this year. The Moldovan-German cooperation in the military sector started in March 2003, together with the signing of the agreement of interministerial cooperation in the field of defense.
