The 18 Leopard 2 tanks that the German government had pledged to provide Ukraine with have been delivered to the country, Der Spiegel reports.
According to the media outlet, the tanks were transported from Germany last week. Furthermore, 40 infantry fighting vehicles Marder have been delivered.
Der Spiegel adds that the tanks were handed over to Ukraine “with an extensive package of weapons and spare parts”.
The government of Germany made a decision to provide Ukraine with the tanks at the end of January. Back then, the government stated that Germany and the allied countries would supply Kyiv with 112 Leopard 2 tanks in total and that the delivery of the tanks would begin within three months.
At that point in time, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz was talking about 14 Leopard 2 tanks handed over by Germany, however, a month later the German government increased the number of tanks to 18.
The aid package also includes training Ukrainian servicemen in Germany, logistics, ammunition, and maintenance.