In addition to the announced Leopard 2, Ukraine could soon expect further battle tanks from Germany. The federal government now allows the export of models of the predecessor type Leopard 1. According to reports, these are processed models from the defense industry's stocks.
The federal government has granted an export license for Leopard 1 main battle tanks to Ukraine. This was confirmed by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit without giving any further details. So far, the federal government had only announced the delivery of the more modern Leopard 2 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine.
As the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" previously reported, Rheinmetall and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) want to prepare dozens of Leopard 1 tanks and could supply them to Ukraine for the fight against Russia. According to the report, however, there have been problems with the procurement of ammunition so far.
According to Rheinmetall's own statements last week, it could deliver a total of 139 Type 1 and Type 2 Leopard tanks. According to a company spokesman to the RND, the company could provide 22 Leopard 2 main battle tanks from its own stock in just under a year. However, it is unclear when an additional 88 Leopard 1 vehicles from the armaments group could be ready. The federal government's 29 tanks, which are intended for the ring exchange, should be ready in the spring.
Last week, the federal government decided to deliver 14 Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine. In addition, it allowed other countries to supply such German-made battle tanks.
The Leopard 1 is the first main battle tank built for the German Army after World War II. It was produced between the mid 60's and mid 80's. The 14 Leopard 2 tanks promised last week are significantly more modern.
Hebestreit did not want to comment further on the delivery of the Leopard 1 from industrial stocks. "I don't want to say much more at the moment, that will become more concrete in the next few days and weeks."
