The first Leopard 2s repaired in Lithuania will soon arrive in Ukraine

15 December, 2023 Leopard 2 tank of the Armed Forces of Ukraine repaired in Lithuania, December 2023. Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense The first Leopard 2 main battle tanks repaired in Lithuania are being prepared for shipment to Ukraine.

The press service of the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense reported on Friday, December 15. In Lithuania, Ukrainian Leopard 2 tanks are being repaired in cooperation with the German defense industry. On Friday, tanks that have already been repaired and will soon return to the battlefield in Ukraine were demonstrated.

"Lithuania consistently supports Ukraine's struggle for independence and not only sends military assistance, but also helps to repair Leopard 2 tanks that are very much needed on the battlefield," said Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anusauskas.

Leopard 2 tank of the Ukrainian Armed Forces repaired in Lithuania, December 23. Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense

Tanks are being repaired at the Lithuania Defense Services enterprise. It was created by two of the largest European manufacturers of military equipment - the German Group Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

The company was founded in 2022 in Jonava, a town in central Lithuania. The joint venture provides maintenance, repair and logistical support for combat vehicles of both the Lithuanian Armed Forces and armored vehicles of other NATO countries deployed in the Baltic States.

Leopard 2 tank of the Ukrainian Armed Forces repaired in Lithuania, December 23. Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense

The damaged Ukrainian Leopard 2 tanks, brought back from the battlefield, have been repaired at Lithuania Defense Services' facilities since October.

The maintenance and repair of German-made Ukrainian armored vehicles positively contributes to sustaining the skills of personnel and ensures constant verification of logistics chains.

Ukrainian PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers in Lithuania, December 2022

Since September 2022, Lithuania has also organized the repair of PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, which were transferred to Ukraine as part of military aid.

Small arms cartridges from Lithuania for Ukraine, November 2023. Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense

In November, Lithuania transferred 3 million 7.62x51 mm cartridges to the Ukrainian Defense Forces as part of a new defense assistance package.

The NASAMS launcher on a truck that was handed over to Ukraine. November 2023.

Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense

And a week before that, Ukraine received NASAMS launchers and the necessary concomitant equipment purchased by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense.