Germany plans to allow the transfer of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine – media

The German government intends to approve the transfer of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine from industrial stocks.

The German Süddeutsche Zeitung reported about this, European Pravda writes.

According to the publication’s sources in the government, no official permission had currently been given for the tank transfer.

Journalists note that German Rheinmetall and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) propose preparing dozens of Leopard 1 tanks and can deliver them to Ukraine.

This armored vehicle could strengthen the combat capabilities of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in resisting the Russian invasion.

However, according to a German newspaper, the federal government is facing challenges obtaining the necessary 105 mm ammunition for these tanks.

According to media reports, last week, Brazil, which also uses Leopard, rejected Germany’s request for a possible sale of ammunition for these tanks. Also, the Brazilian government refused to hand over 35-mm ammunition for Gepard anti-aircraft guns.

Previously, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rheinmetall stated that the enterprise has 110 Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks in storage. It could take a year to prepare this equipment to be transferred to Ukraine.

As previously reported, Leopard 1 tanks for Ukraine could be purchased from a private Belgian company.

The OIP Land Systems owns hundreds of units of various armored vehicles. The company purchased the tanks directly from European governments that were cutting their defense spending.

The hangar houses 50 Leopard 1 tanks, 38 German Gepard anti-aircraft guns, 112 Austrian SK-105 light tanks, 100 Italian VCC2 armored personnel carriers, and 70 M113 armored personnel carriers.

For years, OIP Land Systems could not sell the Leopard 1 and Gepard because German law required Berlin’s approval for re-export. However, the German government’s decision to transfer Leopard 2 to Ukraine opened up new opportunities for the private company.