© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: German military battle tank Leopard 2 returns after NATO enchanced Ahead Presence Battle Group Lithuania train in Pabrade army coaching area, Lithuania, Could 17, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
BERLIN (Reuters) – German armsmaker Rheinmetall might solely ship repaired Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine in 2024 on the earliest, its chief government was quoted as saying by Bild newspaper on Sunday.
Germany introduced earlier this month that it will present Ukraine with Marder infantry preventing autos to assist repel Russian forces. However Kyiv has additionally requested heavier autos such because the Leopards, which might characterize a big step-up in Western help to Ukraine.
Repairing the tanks it has in inventory would value a number of hundred million euros and the corporate couldn’t start doing so earlier than the order was confirmed, Papperger instructed Bild.
“The autos should be fully dismantled and rebuilt,” he added.
Germany has turn out to be one among Ukraine’s prime army supporters in response to Russia’s invasion after final 12 months, overcoming a taboo that’s rooted in its bloody twentieth century historical past on sending weapons to battle zones.
Nonetheless, critics say German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ruling SPD are too gradual, ready for allies to behave first as a substitute of assuming Germany’s duty because the Western energy closest to Ukraine.
Economic system Minister Robert Habeck stated earlier this month delivering the heavier Leopard tanks couldn’t be “dominated out”.
