The German government has approved the delivery of 88 of its old Leopard 1 tanks to Kyiv, local media Reported friday.
The move marks a reversal of Berlin’s policy on tanks for Ukraine. nine days later The chancellor announced that he would send a company of Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv as part of the European coalition.
Berlin has approved German arms maker Rheinmetall’s plan to sell dozens of old Leopards to Kyiv, once they have been repaired, at a total cost of more than €100 million, Suddeutsche Zeitung ReportedCiting “official sources”.
Still, it risks creating supply constraints, as Leopard 1s are no longer produced, and their shells have a different caliber than the newer Leopard 2s, the newspaper explained.
The German government is also considering buying back 15 Gepard tanks sold to Qatar – but there may be issues, as the ammunition for these is made in Switzerland, which until now Re-export clearance refused Ukraine on the grounds that it would violate its neutrality. However, some Swiss lawmakers are pressuring the country to reconsider its position.
After weeks of intense pressure from its partners, Germany announced Last week It will approve the delivery of about 80 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, including about 14 of its own, as part of a coalition of European countries. Since the tanks are German-built, other countries wishing to send them to Ukraine needed the approval of the German government.
Kyiv has been pressing its allies for months to send the tanks, saying it needs them hundreds To counter a possible Russian counter-offensive in the spring.
Britain has also promised to send something of its own to Kyiv challenger 2 tank, while the US has said it will send 31 M1 Abrams Tank,