Don,
Been tracking the Marders myself and was on my work list but as we discussed and for those reasons it might've had to wait until next year. But as with the LEO issue from last year with (2A6 vs 2A4.) this it's MARDER 1A2 vs. 1A3. I really appreciate you getting out front on this so let me give you all I had on the INDO MARDER deal. I'm sure others might apreciate "the process" involved for equipment submissions to include the timeframe to develop your sources and types.
Hopefully in order of unit data and oldest report at top...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/germa...res_video.html
Brought it up when the last ref below was posted.
NEWS...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/decem...s_1612112.html
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...s-germany.html
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56
http://www.armyrecognition.com/septe...y_1809124.html
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56
Note in the above MARDER 1A2 mentioned in this newest post.
This was taken from 5/21/2013 Post #257 MBT Thread. It backed up my decision when submitted to go for the LEO 2A6 earlier in the year. Also though here to the MARDER 1A2 came up. And I believe ref 3 below indicated 15 LEO's would be delivered by 10/2012. This is why with all of the above info and below, sometimes you have to make a decision and keep your fingers crossed. All you can do is follow up constantly. But they say a little PITA is good for you once in awhile!?! Anyway...
"3. Well in this case the calculus paid off, Indonesia is getting the LEO 2A6. I had held off in submitting it sooner as there were many reports at the time that it might be the LEO 2A4 with the REVOLUATION Kits (Making them similar in looks and attributes to Singapores and Turkeys (Added last year.) upgraded LEOs). This was one of the few sites to report it as LEO 2A6 tank from the start as indicated in the first ref. In an earlier commentary I felt that Indonesia after losing the Dutch LEO deal wouldn't take a couple of steps back for 2A4s, when the Dutch tanks were 2A6 marks. The last ones show the order was increased to 163 tanks. The MARDER I'll address separately elsewhere.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_...a_1007125.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_...2_0307121.html
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...anks-indonesia
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56
FOLLOW UP."
Might not have been a useless excercise for some. I like the last ref because they get ahead of some of the more established sources in the defence industry. I'd be curious what data SIPRI has but I'm tired so good night.
MARDER 1A3 I believe is the right choice here as well.
Regards,
Pat