Kyiv should not wait for the immediate delivery of Leopard tanks, even if, if Germany decides to deliver them tomorrow. As explained by the head of the concern Rheinmetall Armin Papperger, Ukraine won't receive tanks earlier than in a year.
Rheinmetall will need up to a year, to prepare Leopard tanks for transfer to Ukraine in case of a positive decision. According to Pappenger, in preparation for combat use, tanks are completely dismantled, then reassembled. This is where the timing comes from.. To date, the concern has in stock 22 Leopard tank 2 and 88 Leopard 1.
This does not apply to armored vehicles, in service with the German army or another NATO country, but the military is unlikely to transfer a large number of tanks from active units.
That is, we are not talking about those tanks, which are on the balance sheet of the Bundeswehr or other NATO armies and are ready to be sent. Another question, how many of these tanks Western countries will agree to remove from combat duty- said the head of Rheinmetall.
Earlier in Kyiv they announced, that five countries are already ready to transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine and are just waiting for permission from Germany for re-export. So far, Ukraine plans to form a brigade, armed with German tanks. Meanwhile, in Berlin, they are still fighting off all requirements for the supply of tanks., although there is an opinion, what 20 January, at a meeting of NATO defense ministers, the Germans will still be pressed.
So far, about the allocation of Challenger tanks 2 in the amount of 14 units declared only by the United Kingdom. Besides, the British intend to supply Kyiv 30 AS90 self-propelled guns and four Apache attack helicopters with Hellfire missiles. used photos:https://www.bundeswehr.de/de
