Germany sells tanks of this type to the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
(Photo: Reuters)
Berlin Germany is preparing another ring exchange of main battle tanks. The talks about the delivery of a tranche of 14 Leopard 2 battle tanks and an armored recovery vehicle to the Czech Republic are about to be concluded, as the Handelsblatt learned from circles familiar with the events. It would be the second end of a ring exchange within a few days.
Berlin had earlier reached an agreement with Slovakia, whose armed forces will also receive 15 German-made Leopard 2 A4s. In both cases, the supplier is the Rheinmetall Group.
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In return for the delivery of the vehicles, the Czech Republic and Slovakia will hand over Soviet-made tanks to the Ukraine. While Slovakia is handing over armored personnel carriers to Kyiv, the Czech Republic is delivering 20 T-72 main battle tanks, according to sources.
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The German government, like France, refuses to deliver battle tanks directly to Ukraine so as not to be classified as a war party by Russia. In order to still support Kyiv in the defensive struggle, Berlin came up with the idea of an exchange of rings.
The contracts with the Czech Republic and Slovakia are to be finalized in the coming weeks. According to the districts, the costs for the ring exchange each amount to a low three-digit million amount, which is borne by the federal government. The first battle tanks are currently being refurbished, and delivery to Prague and Bratislava should then take place in early 2023.
The planned exchange of rings with Greece is also on the home stretch. Athens will receive Marder from Germany in return for giving away Soviet-era BMP infantry fighting vehicles. Rheinmetall is currently refurbishing these armored personnel carriers, and the first delivery could theoretically start this year.
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