Ukraine apparently rejected German Leopard 1 tanks – because they had too many flaws. Libyan authorities are under pressure to bury the dead – why that’s dangerous

Germany promised Ukraine 100 Leopard 1 tanks this spring. But according to a media report, problems are now emerging with the supply of the older battle tanks. As “Spiegel” reports, Kiev has informed the special staff of the Berlin Ministry of Defense that there is a significant need for repairs on a new tranche of ten Leopard 1 tanks.

Accordingly, the defects of the battle tanks are apparently so great that the Ukrainian government refused to accept them a few days ago. Since there are neither trained technicians nor spare parts, Kiev says there is no point in moving the tanks to Ukraine.

Several Leopard 1s have already failed

A team from the Federal Ministry of Defense has now investigated the Leopard tanks in Poland, writes “Spiegel”. Officials there discovered that the tanks had deteriorated so badly during Ukrainian soldiers’ training in Germany in recent weeks that they needed to be repaired.

Moreover, inquiries with the Ukrainian military revealed that the problem was known: several Leopard 1 main battle tanks delivered to Kiev in July had already failed due to similar defects.

The federal government announced this spring that it would deliver 100 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine. The weapon systems were decommissioned by the Bundeswehr in 2003 and hundreds have been in storage since then. At the same time, training of Ukrainian soldiers on the Leopard 1 began at the Klietz military training ground in Saxony-Anhalt.

Embarrassing for Pistorius

The Ministry of Defense did not comment on the case when asked, Spiegel said. In principle, the weapon systems supplied to Kiev would be made combat-ready in cooperation with Ukraine; Due to the limited availability of technical personnel and spare parts, delays may occur.

The Federal Ministry of Defense is therefore trying to resolve the problems as quickly as possible. So far, not enough Ukrainian technicians have been trained to carry out minor repairs on the Leopard 1. This should now increasingly be done in collaboration with the industry. The technicians trained in Germany will then train other technicians in Ukraine.

The news is unpleasant for Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (both SPD). Scholz in particular always justified the long duration of German military aid by saying that deliveries had to be conscientiously prepared. This does not appear to have been the case here. It is also embarrassing for Pistorius: the Ukrainian contact group will meet in Ramstein on Tuesday to coordinate further arms deliveries. The Leopard problems do not ensure that German arms aid is seen in a good light.

(tonline)