The joint Danish-German-Dutch donation of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine has been delayed due to a series of technical problems. The first tanks are expected to be shipped to Ukraine during the month of July.
In the spring, Denmark started a collaboration with Germany and the Netherlands to donate at least 100 Leopard 1 cars to Ukraine. It was hoped that the first tanks could be delivered to the Ukrainians during the spring. Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen informed the conciliation circle today that the schedule has been pushed back.
“Of course, it is unfortunate that we have not been able to deliver the planned number of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine. This is a large and important donation. It is a large and important donation, but in connection with the refurbishment of the tanks, the two manufacturers have encountered a number of technical problems, including the gun turrets, which unfortunately means that we only have tanks for the part right now. Training,” Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
The first refurbished tanks should have been ready during the month of April so that the first training module could start as planned at the end of April.
However, there have been delays in the delivery of the revamped turrets, which together meant that there were not a sufficient number of revamped tanks available at the start of the first training module.
Tank delivery problems have caused the Germans to keep a minimum number of tanks in an availability reserve for the next training module, which has delayed the first tank deliveries to Ukraine.
It is expected that the first tanks can be shipped during the month of July.
“In coordination with the German Defense Ministry, we have investigated the conditions, and here it has come to light that there have been quality problems with the tanks. The following installments are expected to have better quality. We must get the tanks to Ukraine, so they can support the Ukrainians in their fight against Putin’s Russia,” says Troels Lund Poulsen.
Denmark Ministry of Defense
