Germany, Denmark and Netherlands to Provide at Least 100 Leopard 1 Tanks to Ukraine

BERLIN (Reuters), -Denmark and Germany will pool their funds to repair at least 100 Leopard 1 tanks, which are currently stored in industry stocks, and ship them to Ukraine according to a joint statement released Tuesday.

Boris Pistorius the German Defence Minister visited Kyiv unexpectedly and said that 20 to 25 tanks would arrive before the summer, around 80 by the end and another 100 by 2024. This was according to Oleksiireznikov’s statement after the counterparts met.

Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor, stated that Ukraine should have a double digit number of German-made Leopard 1 tank tanks in its first quarter. However, it was not clear how many of the 178 tanks his nation had authorized would be sent.

“The numbers are there but they have to be refurbished for battle, re-equipped, so we don’t know exactly how many,” After meeting with U.S. Secretary Anthony Blinken, he spoke to reporters. “But it’s a large number to repel Russia’s spring offensive.”

Habeck was asked if he felt that the decision to send them after months of increasing pressure on Berlin should have been made earlier. “I hope the decision was taken at just the right time.”

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany jointly stated that Ukraine would receive at most 100 Leopard 1 A5 tanks over the next few months. They also promised training, logistical support, spare part, and ammunition packages.

The Leopard 1 was declared by Kasja Ollongren, the Dutch Defence Minister. “definitely still suitable” Even though it is an older model, it can still be used for combat purposes.

“It’s really a tested tank,” She spoke on Dutch national broadcaster NOS. “They’re being fixed up and made battle-ready, so they will definitely be useful for the Ukrainians, and also better than a number of Russian tanks.”

According to the statement, details of the deal are still being worked out with the tank owners.

It wasn’t clear if there would be cost sharing with the companies. Rheinmetall, an arms producer in northern Germany, owns around 180 Leopard 1 tanks.

Pistorius observed that, while standing alongside Reznikov in Kyiv he had previously seen Ukrainian forces leaving for training in Germany on more modern Leopard 2 tank. This was something his country also promised Ukraine.

Reznikov tweeted a photo of Pistorius and himself with a scale model Leopard displayed in a display box, writing: “The ‘first’ Leopard 2 has arrived in Kyiv.” Later, the German defense ministry tweeted that the Leopard 2s would be ready at the end March.

Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark all said that their Leopard 1 initiative was open for further partners. “initial interest to participate”.

The head of Rheinmetall, Germany’s arms maker, said earlier that the company would send Ukraine 20-25 Leopards next year. It will also send the remaining 88 Leopard 1 tanks it has in total.

This move comes after the German government, under increasing international pressure, decided last month to supply more Leopard 2 battle tanks from its army stocks.

Reporting by Sabine Siebold (Toby Sterling, Thomas Escritt. Andreas Rinke. Elaine Monaghan, Christian Kraemer. Editing by Rachel More. Mark Porter. Cynthia Osterman.