The German Ministry of Economic Affairs has approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine. This was announced jointly by the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Defense on Tuesday in Berlin. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said on Tuesday during his first visit to Kiev that the Leopard 1 would be delivered in stages. Between 20 and 25 tanks should be delivered by the summer and even 80 by the end of the year.
The goal is to reach more than 100 over the course of the first or second quarter of 2024, Pistorius explains. This means that at least three Ukrainian battalions must be equipped, including the material to be purchased for spare parts and ammunition. In addition, the training of 600 sergeants has started.
Many tanks still need to be repaired
“How many Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks will actually be delivered to Ukraine will depend on the necessary repair work,” the German Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a statement. The federal government had already given its general approval for the export last week. The Leopard 1 is the first main battle tank built for the German army after World War II. 4700 units were produced from 1965 to the mid-1980s. The Bundeswehr retired its last Leopard 1 tanks 20 years ago.
Armored personnel carriers are also provided
After a protracted discussion, the federal government had already decided two weeks ago to hand over 14 more modern Leopard 2 to Ukraine and to allow allies such deliveries of the weapon system developed in Germany. Marder armored personnel carriers and the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system will also go to Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers are already being trained in Germany.
With the current commitment to supply the Leopard 1 tanks, he connects “the desire and great hope that this contribution can also help Ukraine to remain defensible and resist the attack,” Pistorius said. The will of the Ukrainian people to defend their homeland is unbroken. “I have my greatest admiration for that,” said the minister during a joint performance with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Resnikov.
“Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future”
Pistorius stressed that there is no doubt that Germany and the other partners in Europe and beyond “will continue to support Ukraine steadfastly in the future and we will continue to support them with whatever it takes”. According to Pistorius, Ukraine will receive more guided missiles by the end of the month, as well as five Cheetah anti-aircraft tanks and another five Badger stud tanks. Five Biber tank bridge laying vehicles were to be delivered in March.
In parallel with the industry supply license, the defense ministries of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands also announced that Ukraine would receive at least 100 “Leopard 1 tanks” “in the coming months”. The first should arrive “in a few months”. Training for Ukrainian soldiers is also part of the agreement, as are spare parts and ammunition.
Accordingly, repaired tanks must be delivered “from industrial stocks”. The “Leo 1 A5 Initiative” is open to other partner countries, according to the statement in English from the German Ministry of Economic Affairs. Belgium has already shown interest.
Source: Krone
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