Are Chile's Marder 1A3 Tanks Headed to Ukraine in Secret

Wes O'Donnell December 5, 2025
Video Thumbnail
Wes O'Donnell Logo

Wes O'Donnell

@wesodonnellx

About

Recovering journalist. Veteran. Juris Doctor. I don't report the news, but I do report my opinion. I am a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force for a total of 10 years of service. If credentials matter, I have a BA in international relations, speak very bad Russian, and have a Master's in Business Administration. Oh, I just graduated law school at Western Michigan University where I spent every penny of my GI Bill entitlement. Debt-free J.D.! I write on Medium and run the "Eyes Only" newsletter on Substack where I talk about global security, military technology, and how much I hate authoritarians.

Video Description

Is Chile secretly sending German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine via Germany? Or is Santiago playing the world’s most polite version of “Who, us?” In this video, I unpack a story that started with a Chilean news leak, escalated with a Defense Blog follow-up, and has now spiraled into one of the strangest arms-transfer mysteries of the year. On paper, Chile insists it cannot send weapons to active war zones. In practice, 30 of its Marder 1A3 IFVs might be heading to Germany anyway, where Berlin would “upgrade” them and then quietly hand them to Ukraine. Welcome to the joyfully murky world of ringtausch: Germany’s circular-exchange system where everyone keeps their domestic laws clean, and Ukraine still ends up with armored vehicles at the front. I also dig into Chile’s military reality. Their ground-based air defense is thin. Their Marder fleet is large enough to spare 30 hulls. And Germany would give Chile modern air defenses in exchange for the Marders. It's like a Tom Clancy novel, but more confusing lol. This is how modern military aid works when countries want to help Ukraine without getting Moscow’s attention. Everyone follows the letter of the law, nobody violates “neutrality,” and still, somehow, Ukrainian mechanized infantry ends up riding into battle inside refurbished German armor. I also break down the Marder itself, crew layout, armor upgrades, fire control, mobility, and why a 20 mm cannon may be old but remains deadly in trench warfare. Ukraine already operates more than 140 of these machines. Adding 30 more would strengthen multiple brigades or keep a steady rotation pool available for combat repairs. Subscribe if you appreciate real analysis instead of AI-generated noise. And as always, glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes. Crimea is Ukraine. tldr: Reports making `news today` suggest Chile might be sending `Marder 1A3` `IFV Marder` back to Germany, potentially for the `Ukraine war`. This video breaks down the rumors surrounding these `military vehicles` and what's actually happening. Join me as we analyze this developing situation regarding the `German infantry fighting vehicle`. Video Sources: DoD and United24 #Ukraine #Chile #Germany #UkraineWar #News #Marder #Army #Military #Ringtausch #MilitaryAid #DefenseAnalysis #UkraineVictory

Upgrade Your Everyday

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa, Charcoal

Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa, Charcoal

(21,817)
149.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
9K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

(26,751)
$118.98$114.22
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 17
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones, True Wireless Stereo Earphones with IPX7 Waterproof, Noise Cancelling Mic, Fast Charging and Comfort Fit Ear Buds for Sports/Workouts - Black

Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones, True Wireless Stereo Earphones with IPX7 Waterproof, Noise Cancelling Mic, Fast Charging and Comfort Fit Ear Buds for Sports/Workouts - Black

(1,741)
$19.99
FREE delivery Sun, Jun 22 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

(23,152)
$89.99$83.69
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 4
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

(38,487)
$199.00$187.32
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Smart Watch for Men/Women, 1.95" AMOLED Fitness Tracker Watches with Bluetooth Calls/Flashlight/100+ Sport Modes Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor Ultra Lightweight Ultrathin Design

Smart Watch for Men/Women, 1.95" AMOLED Fitness Tracker Watches with Bluetooth Calls/Flashlight/100+ Sport Modes Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor Ultra Lightweight Ultrathin Design

(0)
17.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Loading...
Smart Watch for Men Women (Answer/Make Call), 1.96" HD Smartwatch Fitness Activity Tracker, 110+ Sports IP68 Waterproof, Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/Pedometer/Calories, Fitness Watch for Android iOS

Smart Watch for Men Women (Answer/Make Call), 1.96" HD Smartwatch Fitness Activity Tracker, 110+ Sports IP68 Waterproof, Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/Pedometer/Calories, Fitness Watch for Android iOS

(550)
24.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant
Best Seller

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

(7,994)
$329.00$296.10
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant
Best Seller

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

(7,993)
$299.00$269.10
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3
8K+ bought in past month
Loading...
NOCO Boost GB40: 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack, Portable Jump Box, Power Bank & Jumper Cables - for 6.0L Gas and 3.0L Diesel Engines
Best Seller

NOCO Boost GB40: 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack, Portable Jump Box, Power Bank & Jumper Cables - for 6.0L Gas and 3.0L Diesel Engines

(117,789)
$99.95$75.43
FREE delivery Sun, Sep 21
30K+ bought in past month
Loading...
UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W Portable Charger 72Wh PD Fast Charging 3-Port USB C Battery Pack with TFT Smart Display for MacBook/iPad/iPhone 16/Samsung S24 and More

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W Portable Charger 72Wh PD Fast Charging 3-Port USB C Battery Pack with TFT Smart Display for MacBook/iPad/iPhone 16/Samsung S24 and More

(1,903)
69.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
ANKER 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger with 140W Fast Charging, Smart Display, for Outdoor Work, Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14 Series, Vision Pro, Samsung, MacBook, and More

ANKER 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger with 140W Fast Charging, Smart Display, for Outdoor Work, Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14 Series, Vision Pro, Samsung, MacBook, and More

(13,939)
109.99
FREE delivery Saturday, June 14
9K+ bought in past month
Loading...
VOLTME Portable Charger, Slim 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&Out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, Travel Essentials Dual Output Compatible with iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung Google iPad etc

VOLTME Portable Charger, Slim 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&Out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, Travel Essentials Dual Output Compatible with iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung Google iPad etc

(51)
19.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

(26,751)
$118.98$114.22
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 17
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

(23,152)
$89.99$83.69
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 4
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

(38,487)
$199.00$187.32
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Active Over Ear Noise Cancelling and Mic, Deep Bass, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, White Smoke

Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Active Over Ear Noise Cancelling and Mic, Deep Bass, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, White Smoke

(10,961)
249.00
FREE delivery Wednesday, June 11.
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set with Tray, Metal Windowsill Plant Pots with Drainage for Outdoor or Indoor Plants, Set/3 (Black)

Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set with Tray, Metal Windowsill Plant Pots with Drainage for Outdoor or Indoor Plants, Set/3 (Black)

(3,684)
26.95
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Eye Contact Web Camera for Desktop Computer – 1080P USB Camera with Microphone & Stand, Center Cam for Laptop or Desktop, Manual Focus, Plug & Play for macOS & Windows(Black)

Eye Contact Web Camera for Desktop Computer – 1080P USB Camera with Microphone & Stand, Center Cam for Laptop or Desktop, Manual Focus, Plug & Play for macOS & Windows(Black)

(96)
37.39
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
PEHAEL 3+3Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max Privacy Screen Protector with Camera Lens Protector Full Coverage Anti-Spy Tempered Glass Film 9H Hardness Easy Installation Bubble Free [6.9 inch]

PEHAEL 3+3Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max Privacy Screen Protector with Camera Lens Protector Full Coverage Anti-Spy Tempered Glass Film 9H Hardness Easy Installation Bubble Free [6.9 inch]

(151,641)
$7.99$6.39
FREE delivery Mon, Sep 29 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
New on Amazon in past month
Loading...
Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max [6.9 inch] + 3 Pack Camera Lens Protector with Installation Frame,Sensor Protection,Dynamic Island Compatible,Case Friendly Tempered Glass Film

Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max [6.9 inch] + 3 Pack Camera Lens Protector with Installation Frame,Sensor Protection,Dynamic Island Compatible,Case Friendly Tempered Glass Film

(362,029)
$7.63
FREE delivery Wed, Aug 20 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
2025 AI Portable Fan Rechargeable, 4 Speeds 6600RPM Strong Airflow, Personal Waist Fan with up to 25H of Working Time, Hands-Free Hanging Neck Fan, Wearable Belt Fan for Camping, Outdoor, Jobsite

2025 AI Portable Fan Rechargeable, 4 Speeds 6600RPM Strong Airflow, Personal Waist Fan with up to 25H of Working Time, Hands-Free Hanging Neck Fan, Wearable Belt Fan for Camping, Outdoor, Jobsite

(1,636)
$19.98
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
40K+ bought in past month