News 2024

The Netherlands and Denmark will supply Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2 tanks

The Netherlands and Denmark will soon supply Kyiv with 14 Leopard 2 tanks, which have been completely refurbished by the German defense concern Rheinmetall and, after several months of testing, are ready for delivery to Ukraine before the end of summer 2024. This was announced on Thursday, July 25, by the Dutch Ministry of Defense.

A specific delivery date was not announced, but it was clarified that the first 12 tanks have already been handed over for shipment, and testing of the remaining two is expected to be completed for the simultaneous delivery of the entire batch of weapons.

“Ukraine urgently needs more military support, given the difficult situation on the battlefield. These tanks can play an important role for the Ukrainian army in defending against Russian troops,” Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans was quoted as saying in the report. He also clarified that the Netherlands, together with its allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine in its defense from Russian military aggression as long as necessary.
The delivery of tanks to Kyiv was planned six months ago

The Netherlands is part of the international tank coalition, which supplies Ukraine with modern battle tanks. In April 2023, the country's authorities announced that they intended, together with Denmark, to transfer 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv, purchasing them from a “third party” and repairing them. It was then expected that delivery would take place in the first months of 2024. Thus, the promise will be fulfilled somewhat later than expected.

The Leopard 2 is the main battle tank of the Bundeswehr, in service with Austria, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Greece and Finland. Since the start of its operation in 1979, more than 3.6 thousand units of this tank in its various modifications have been produced.
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