Ukraine can now also receive Leopard 1 main battle tanks from Germany. As the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported, the federal government has issued a corresponding export license. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed this on February 3, but gave no further details. Leopard 1 main battle tanks are not (yet) included in the federal government's list of military support services.
A 105mm rifled gun, 610kW diesel engine and 1990s-level protection are the hallmarks of the 42.5-ton Leopard 1. From 1965 to 2003, the main battle tank was part of the armored units of the German Army. After the end of use in the army, the tanks were sold or scrapped. Current user countries include Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Greece and Turkey.
Einen Teil der Panzer – auch aus dem Ausland – hat die Industrie aufgekauft und eingelagert oder nach Umbau weiterverkauft. Zugriff auf größere Bestände – teils in eigenem Besitz – haben u.a. die Firmen Rheinmetall und Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft und eine belgische Firma. Diese Kampfpanzer sind nicht einsatzfähig und müssten vor einer Abgabe an die Ukraine gründlich überholt werden. Der Zeitansatz dafür wird auf mehrere Monate geschätzt.
The application for an export license is presumably based on concrete purchase intentions by the Ukrainian armed forces. The next steps are the funding commitment by the federal government and the conclusion of a contract with the Ukraine.
gwh / editors
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