Netherlands and Denmark prepared first two Leopard 2 tanks for transfer to Ukraine
Photo: The Netherlands and Denmark prepared the first two Leopard 2 tanks for transfer to Ukraine (defensie.nl)
Netherlands and Denmark have prepared the first two Leopard 2 A4 tanks for transfer to the armed forces of Ukraine, according to the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands.
"The first two out of 14 Leopard 2 A4 tanks for Ukraine underwent comprehensive repairs at the German Rheinmetall factory. Last year, the Netherlands and Denmark commissioned the repair of these tanks. Now, they will be sent to Poland for training Ukrainian military personnel," according to a statement from the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
It is noted that in the coming months, Rheinmetall will also prepare additional 12 tanks for deployment. According to the current schedule, the tanks, along with spare parts and ammunition, will be delivered to Ukraine this summer.
The Ministry of Defense also emphasized that the Netherlands is part of an international tank coalition that supplies combat tanks to Ukraine. Previously, the Netherlands, along with Denmark and Germany, procured Leopard 1 tanks for Ukraine.
Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine
With the onset of a full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation into Ukraine, allies pledged to provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with several models of tanks. In particular, several countries committed to delivering Leopard 2 tanks. These tanks have already been supplied or will be transferred soon by Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Earlier reports indicated that Germany had handed over 18 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Some of these tanks sustained damage during operations on the front line, and repairs are ongoing. The maintenance is being carried out by Ukraine's allies, as our country lacks the necessary capabilities for such tasks.
