Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands to send at least 100 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine

The decision comes as Berlin approves the export of 178 Leopard 1 main battle tanks to Kyiv.

At least 100 refurbished Leopard 1 tanks of the older A5 type from industrial stocks will be provided | Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

BERLIN — Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands plan to deliver at least 100 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine, as Berlin has approved the export of up to 178 tanks.

According to a joint statement from the defense ministers of the three countries, they will provide at least 100 refurbished Leopard 1 tanks of the older A5 type from industrial stocks, with the first ones being delivered within a few months.

The initiative, the statement said, includes training on the Leopard 1 A5 as well as a “spare parts and ammunition package.”

Belgium has also shown initial interest in participating, and the initiative is open to further partners, according to the statement.

As the German defense and economy ministries confirmed on Tuesday, the economy ministry issued export licenses to German defense companies for the export of as many as 178 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine. The tanks come from industrial stocks and, for the most part, still need to be repaired.

“How many Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks will actually be delivered to Ukraine depends on the required repair work,” the ministries said.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Tuesday that Ukraine is to receive more than 100 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks from a “group of several European countries.”

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