German Leopard tanks for Ukraine army: German defence company Rheinmetall will supply 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to Ukraine military that has been engaged in brutal war with Russia since February 2022. In order to defend Ukraine against Russian attack, the United States of America and its NATO allies have been providing massive military aids worth billions of dollars to the embattled country, mainly long range artillery, protected vehicles which has now included main battle tanks, and ammunition, among other things.
In April 2023 the Dutch and Danish governments announced their intention to jointly acquire Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks that will be donated to Ukraine under the military aid package.
The Dutch government therefore contracted with Rheinmetall to supply fourteen Leopard 2A4 MBTs. Though the German defence company has not disclosed the precise order value, it confirmed that the order was in the lower three-digit million-euro range.
The Dutch and Danish governments are jointly financing the order as part of the international tank coalition to provide effective support for Ukraine.
Officials of the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany and representatives of Rheinmetall recently signed an agreement to this effect.
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Leopard 2A4 MBTs to be delivered in January
The first vehicle is scheduled for delivery in January 2024, with the last due to ship in the course of the year.
The vehicles are upgraded Leopard 2A4 tanks acquired by Rheinmetall from the inventories of user nations.
Rheinmetall: Key supplier to Ukrainian military
According to the company, this order underscores Rheinmetall’s role as an important supplier of materiel to the Ukrainian armed forces.
According to the Düsseldorf-based defence company, it is just the latest in a series of support measures taken by the company in support of Ukraine’s defensive war effort.
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German ammunition for Ukraine
Rheinmetall has also emerged as the embattled country’s sole source of large-volume shipments of new medium- and large-calibre ammunition, including 20mm rounds for the Marder IFV’s automatic cannon and 105mm and 120mm tank ammunition for the main armament of the Ukrainian Army’s Leopard I and Leopard 2 MBTs.
A first lot of 35mm ammunition for the Gepard antiaircraft tank will soon be ready for shipment as well.
Rheinmetall has also been instrumental in supplying the Ukrainian military with substantial numbers of combat vehicles, whether through multilateral “Ringtausch” exchange programmes with partner nations or via direct deliveries.
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Rheinmetall’s Marder IFV for Ukraine.
Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicle
For example, in March 2023, Rheinmetall shipped twenty Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine at the direction of the German government. A second lot of twenty of these tried-and-tested vehicles is due to ship this summer.
By the end of 2023, Rheinmetall will also be supplying Ukraine with 26 brand-new military trucks and two state-of-the-art air defence systems. The support effort also encompasses SurveilSPIRE mobile reconnaissance systems with day- and night-capable cameras and auto-piloted mini-drones.
The Group is also furnishing Ukraine with a field hospital system consisting of containers and tents as well as a container-based mobile surgical station for initial treatment of trauma cases, both of which will be a vital source of support for the Ukrainian military in the coming months.
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Rheinmetall’s Field Hospital for Ukraine.
