The Netherlands and Denmark have prepared the first Leopard 2s for Ukraine

17 January, 2024 The Leopard 2A4 tank of the Ukrainian military, purchased for Ukraine by the Netherlands and Denmark. January 2024. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands

The first two out of 14 Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine, jointly procured by Denmark and the Netherlands, have been refurbished and are ready for shipment. The Dutch Ministry of Defense announced this. Two Leopard 2A4 tanks underwent major repairs at the facilities of the German arms concern Rheinmetall.

After that, they will be sent to Poland to train Ukrainian servicemen. The remaining 12 Leopard 2A4s will be prepared in the coming months, the report said.

The Leopard 2A4 tank of the Ukrainian military, purchased for Ukraine by the Netherlands and Denmark. January 2024.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands

"According to the current schedule, tanks, along with spare parts and ammunition, will be delivered to Ukraine this summer," the Dutch Ministry of Defense added. The Netherlands and Denmark are part of an international tank coalition that supplies Ukraine with battle tanks. In April 2023, the countries announced their intention to purchase 14 Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine.

These 14 tanks for Ukraine were purchased from the German industry and will not be related to those already in service in Denmark.

Repair of the Leopard 2 tank at the Rheinmetall plant. Photo from open sources

At the same time, the Netherlands remains the only country in the so-called "tank coalition" that does not transfer its tanks to Ukraine. Instead, the country pledged to transfer spare parts and ammunition to these vehicles.

In addition, the two countries, together with Germany, previously announced their intentions to transfer 100 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

The first vehicles arrived in Ukraine last fall.