Spiegel: Germany’s government approves sending 178 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine

Germany’s Federal Security Council has approved sending 178 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine, Der Spiegel reports.

According to the media outlet, the government will announce the decision officially later today.

“Ideally, the first Leopard 1 battle tanks will be delivered to Ukraine this summer, but the majority of them will, probably, only be provided in 2024,” the message says.

Several days ago, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported, citing sources, that Germany could provide Ukraine with up to 160 Leopard 1 tanks, however, they are in need of repairs. Companies Rheinmetall and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau expressed readiness to carry out the repairs. 

Leopard 1 is the original version of the updated Leopard 2, 14 units of which Ukraine has already ordered from Germany. Last week, Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that the German government had already approved delivery of 88 Leopard 1 tanks from Germany’s own stock to Ukraine.

Leopard 1 tanks could be delivered at any time after being repaired, government officials told Süddeutsche Zeitung. It is speculated that Ukraine will not receive the tanks for free but will buy them from Rheinmetall for the price of over €100 million.