Germany sends 17 armored vehicles based on Leopard to Ukraine

25 May, 2024 Wisent 1 evacuates tank Leopard 2. Photo credits: artstation Germany handed over a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, which included various Leopard-based armored vehicles.

This is stated in a press release published on the website of the German government. The new defense package also includes shells, drones, vehicles and infantry weapons. Among the equipment in the aid package are 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks, which are being transferred as part of a joint project with Denmark.

Leopard 1A5DK at FFG's depots in Germany.

Photo credits: NDK.

Denmark has bought back Leopard 1A5 tanks from FFG. The German company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) purchased 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks from Denmark in 2010 to be converted into special vehicles and subsequently resold. The new aid also includes engineering equipment based on Leopard tanks.

BEAVER bridge-laying tanks.

September 2023. Photo credits: 22nd Mechanized Brigade

Ukraine received another BEAVER bridge-laying tank from Germany. This vehicle is based on the chassis of the Leopard 1 tank.

Instead of a turret, it is equipped with a bridge erection system. One Pionierpanzer Dachs armored engineer vehicle is being transferred from Germany. This special equipment is also called "Badger".

It serves the German army as an auxiliary engineering vehicle based on the famous Leopard 1 tank.

Pionierpanzer Dachs of the German army.

2021. Photo credits: Alexander Miller

The Pionierpanzer Dachs is equipped with a hydraulic excavator boom and a powerful bulldozer blade. In addition, 1 Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicle was delivered.

This armored vehicle was also developed on the basis of the Leopard 1 tank.

????????-??????????? ?????? Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicle of the German military. Photo credits: toysforboys4.eu

The main purpose of the Bergepanzer 2 is to ensure the mobility of armored units, evacuate damaged equipment, and assist in the replacement or repair of the engine and transmission compartment and/or turret of combat vehicles. The vehicle is used by army logistics units and armored infantry battalions in the armies of countries that have Leopard tanks.

Ukraine also received 4 Wisent 1 mine clearing tanks. The Wisent 1 is derived from a vehicle known as the Armored Recovery Vehicle 2000 or ARV 2000. Essentially based on a modified hull of the Leopard 1 main battle tank with the turret removed, it can accommodate various systems depending on the role.

Wisent 1 mine clearing tank of the Ukrainian military.

2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: @Osinttechnical

In addition, the Wisent 1 is equipped with a lane marking system that allows troops to safely pass through the cleared fields.

The latest aid package also included:

  • 3 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers;
  • 20 MG3 for LEOPARD 2, MARDER and DACHS;
  • 8,500 155-mm ammunition;
  • 20 VECTOR reconnaissance drones with spare parts;
  • 34 RQ-35 HEIDRUN reconnaissance drones;
  • two mine plows;
  • 16 Zetros tankers;
  • 400 LED lamps;
  • 530 MK 556 assault rifles;
  • 80 HLR 338 precision rifles with 60 rounds ammunition;
  • 111 CR 308 rifles;
  • 1.8 million rounds of ammunition for firearms.

On May 11, the U.S.

Department of State approved the urgent sale of three additional HIMARS rocket systems to Ukraine.

They were financed by the German government on behalf of Ukraine.

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