Ukraine could add old Leopard 1 battle tanks fromindustry stocks to deliveries of modern tanks that Berlin and other governments pledged last week to counter Russian forces in the war.
German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed Friday that"export authorization has been granted" but declined to give numbers or other details, saying that they may become more concrete"in the coming days and weeks." He told reporters in Berlin that the application from industry to permit delivery of Leopard 1 tanks had been made"some time" ago.
Hebestreit's comments came after the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that the government had cleared the export of the tanks and that they could be sent as soon as the defense industry gets them in working order.It said that two companies, Rheinmetall and FFG, want to prepare dozens of Leopard 1 tanks that could be delivered to Ukraine if it is interested. But it also said that there are issues so far with securing sufficient ammunition for the vehicles.
A Leopard 1 tank drives in Storkau, Germany, on May 19, 2000. Ukraine may be able to use old Leopard 1 battle tanks from German defense industry stocks. The Leopard 1, manufactured between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s, was the first battle tank built for West Germany's Bundeswehr. The German military hasn't had any of the tanks since 2003, Defense Ministry spokesman Arne Collatz said.
Anyone remember the last time German tanks were used against the Russian Army ? 👀
Don't give them shit