Initially 30 refurbished Leopard 1 main battle tanks from industrial stocks are now to be delivered to Ukraine.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Ahead of the expected visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin, the Federal Ministry of Defense announced new arms deliveries to Ukraine worth more than 2.7 billion euros. The country attacked by Russia is to receive, among other things, 18 wheeled howitzers, 30 Leopard 1 battle tanks, 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles, artillery ammunition and four more Iris-T SLM air defense systems.
“With this valuable contribution of urgently needed military material, we are showing once again that Germany is serious about its support,” said Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Unfortunately, a quick end to the war of aggression, which violates international law, is not yet in sight. That’s why Germany will provide all the help it can. “As long as it takes,” added Pistorius.
>> Read here: Pistorius promises Ukraine’s first Leopard 1 no later than June
From the start of the war to April 24 of this year, Germany has already supported Ukraine with arms deliveries worth almost 2.8 billion euros. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) initially emphasized that the focus of German support should be on artillery and air defense. In the meantime, the German government has also made 18 modern Leopard 2 A6 heavy battle tanks available to the Ukrainian army as part of an international coalition.
The new package of measures follows the previous support priorities and mainly includes material from the areas of artillery, air defense, armored combat vehicles and engineer skills, the Ministry of Defense announced. All equipment that is now made available does not come from the Bundeswehr, but from industrial stocks or is manufactured or repaired by industry.
>> Read here: Selenski expected in Berlin: The Ukraine is fighting against growing war fatigue
The 30 Leopard 1 main battle tanks that are now being delivered are probably just a start. Because the federal government has granted the export of up to 178 tanks of the type from industrial stocks.
The package comes in time for Selenski’s expected visit to Germany, but it is still not entirely clear whether it will take place. The Ukrainian President is to be awarded the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen on Sunday. Selenski is expected in Rome this Saturday.
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