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In May, the first batch of Leopard 1 tanks will arrive in Ukraine. Photos/Illustrations
COPENHAGEN – The first batch of Leopard 1 tank reinforcements will arrive in Ukraine this spring. This was announced by the Minister of Defence Denmark Troels Lund Poulsen.
Poulsen told reporters in Copenhagen that he visited the company’s Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft production facility to confirm that work on preparing the Leopard 1 tank for Ukraine was underway.
The Danish minister added that he was proud of the large and important contribution of Denmark and other countries to the struggle of Ukraine for its freedom as quoted from Anadolu, Sunday (12/3/2023).
Poulsen hopes that the Ukrainian armed forces will receive the first 80 tanks by the end of spring.
“We hope to deliver 80 to 90 tanks during 2023. They will be delivered continuously, as they need to be included in training activities with the Ukrainian army,” he said.
“Therefore, we believe that they will be delivered in large numbers from around the beginning of May until the end of the year,” Poulsen said as quoted by Sputnik.
Western countries have supplied Ukraine with various types of weapons systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its special military operation in February 2022.
In late January, Germany committed to delivering 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Kiev, with other countries announcing similar steps or pledging to join the initiative.
Moscow continues to warn that sending more lethal aid to Kiev risks escalating the conflict and involving NATO in direct confrontation with Russia.
(ian)
