In total, more than 6,500 Leopard 1s were produced – of which more than 4,700 were main battle tanks and more than 1,700 auxiliary and air defense vehicles.
The German authorities made a major decision to allow enterprises of the military-industrial complex to transfer Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine from their stocks. This was said by the spokesman of the federal government, Steffen Gebeshtreit, at a briefing in Berlin, Ukrinform reports on Friday, February 3.
“I can confirm that there is a permit. I can’t say yet,” Gebeshtreit said, adding that details would be announced soon.
He clarified that the representatives of the industry approached the government with the corresponding initiative: They have such tanks, and they are ready to transfer them. But it needs approval.
The Leopard 1 was the first main battle tank produced for the German army from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s. In total, more than 6.5 thousand of these vehicles were produced – of which more than 4.7 thousand main battle tanks and more than 1.7 thousand auxiliary and air defense vehicles.
It is known that Leopard 1 tanks have not been in service with the Bundeswehr since 2003.
Earlier, the media reported that the German authorities approved the supply of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine from industrial stocks and are negotiating the purchase of 15 Gepard tanks from Qatar for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It will be recalled that on January 25, Germany officially announced the supply of Leopard 2 tanks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and authorized their re-export to other countries.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.