Tanks from Denmark: Ukraine will receive 45 more Leopard 1 and T-72 tanks
19 September, 2023 Leopard 1 tank in Ukraine. September 2023. Photo from open sources
Denmark has decided to provide Ukraine with 45 more tanks as part of its defense assistance. This number will include 30 Leopard 1 tanks and 15 modernized Soviet-era T-72 tanks. Such a statement was made by Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
He said this at the 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, which is taking place in Germany on Tuesday. According to the minister, the Ukrainian military will be able to use the modernized T-72 tanks on the battlefield, and the crews will have to undergo appropriate training to operate the Leopard 1.
Modernization of T-72 tanks for Ukraine at the Excalibur Army plant. Czech Republic December 2022.
A frame from the Current Time TV video
It is not yet known when the combat vehicles will be delivered. The tanks are likely to be a part of an £833 million military aid package that Denmark announced last week without disclosing details. The entire amount is divided into three parts: £617 million will be spent this year, £209 million in 2024, and £7 million in 2025.
The package was the 12th and largest transferred by Denmark on February 24, 2022. Back in February, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands announced that they would provide Ukraine with Leopard 1 tanks to help counter Russia's full-scale aggression. In total, more than 100 refurbished Leopard 1A5 tanks are to be delivered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Danish instructors train Ukrainian tank crews in Germany.
Photo credits: Nora Stone
Ten Danish Leopard 1 tanks are already in Ukraine, with more on the way. The training takes place in Germany, where Danish tank instructors, in cooperation with German instructors, train crews and hand over tanks to Ukraine. It is reported that the training course is shortened in comparison to the standard one.
Danish instructors train Ukrainian tank crews in Germany.
Photo credits: Nora Stone
The Danish instructors are responsible for the first part of the crew training, after which their German colleagues will take on work.