Croatia to send dozens tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine
Leopard 2A8 tank (knds.com)
Croatia plans to transfer 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. In exchange, the country will purchase 50 new Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany, according to the Croatian Ministry of Defense.
According to the report, today Croatian and German Defense Ministers Ivan Anusic and Boris Pistorius signed a Letter of Intent in Berlin.
In this document, the countries expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles, including spare parts and ammunition from Croatian stockpiles, in exchange for compensation from Germany. This compensation will go toward the purchase of 50 Leopard 2A8 tanks, partially covering the cost of the new equipment.
Through this, Croatia will join the international program for joint procurement of the Leopard 2A8 tanks. In addition to Germany, the program already includes Czechia, Lithuania, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Croatia's support for Ukraine
On October 8, Ukraine and Croatia signed a bilateral agreement for long-term support and cooperation. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
The agreement, like other Ukrainian security pacts, will be in effect for 10 years. With this, Croatia reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ukraine until victory in the war.
In September, Croatia announced its 11th military aid package for Ukraine.
Previously, it was also reported that Croatia had planned to transfer 14 transport helicopters to Ukraine.
