Rheinmetall wants to deliver tanks to Ukraine

The armaments group Rheinmetall is expecting permission to send tanks to Ukraine. 50 discarded Leopard 1 battle tanks are planned for this purpose. The Bundeswehr uses the successor model.

German-made tanks could soon strengthen the Ukrainian army in its fight against Russian troops. Because the armaments group Rheinmetall Rheinmetall Aktien is preparing to be able to send up to 50 battle tanks to the Ukraine. “The first Leopard 1 could be delivered in six weeks,” said the CEO of the Düsseldorf gunsmith, Armin Papperger, the “Handelsblatt”. However, the approval of the federal government is still required beforehand.

It’s about older tanks that were taken out of service by Rheinmetall and taken back by the company a long time ago – such returns of old stock are common in the armaments industry.

Baerbock advocates arms deliveries

The steel giants are still to be checked and brought into shape. According to manager Papperger, the delivery would take place within a period of up to three months via the Italian Rheinmetall subsidiary. According to the company boss, Ukrainian soldiers could be trained very quickly so that they would be ready for action. Russia invaded the neighboring country a good six weeks ago.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) had approved the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine at the weekend. There was no objection from the ranks of the traffic light coalition in the Bundestag on Monday. “If the Ukrainians want the tank, and they signaled that to me, then a way should be found,” said Marcus Faber, defense policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, in the “Handelsblatt”. His counterpart in the Greens, Sara Nanni, also signaled approval.

Older Marder tanks could also be delivered

The Leopard 1 tanks in question are older. The Bundeswehr, among others, has long been using the successor model Leopard 2, the first version of which was introduced to the troops in 1979.

In addition to battle tanks, Ukraine also wants armored personnel carriers in order to have better cards in the war against Russia. Similar to the “Leopards”, Rheinmetall has also stored decommissioned Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Rheinmetall has promised to be able to deliver 70 Marder infantry fighting vehicles within six to eight months. According to Rheinmetall, the first ten could be dispatched within five weeks.