Ukraine is set to receive 14 refurbished Leopard 2A4 tanks this summer, courtesy of the Netherlands and Denmark, according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
The NATO nations had previously announced plans last April to procure the tanks from a third party, refurbish them, and subsequently send them over to Ukraine. Rheinmetall, a German arms company, undertook the refurbishment and testing of the battle tanks in recent months.
Widely acclaimed within NATO member states, the German-made Leopard 2 tanks are regarded as top-of-the-line main battle tanks, with Rheinmetall branding them as “the world’s finest main battle tank.”
Ukraine had already received 18 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany in March last year. Sebastian Schäfer, a German politician and economist, noted in January 2024 that Ukraine’s military had only a few tanks left that were combat-ready.
Ukraine has consistently appealed to its Western allies for modern equipment and weapons to bolster its defenses against Russian forces amid the ongoing conflict initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.
Previously, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany had collectively pledged to deliver 100 refurbished Leopard tanks to Ukraine in a show of support.
Minister Brekelmans emphasized the critical need for military aid to Ukraine due to the intense battles on the front lines. He highlighted the significant role these tanks could play in safeguarding the Ukrainian army against Russian incursions.
The Dutch Defense Ministry highlighted in its press release that the Leopard 2A4 tanks are expected to offer Ukraine a strategic advantage on the battlefield, citing their powerful firepower, crew protection, and speed. Furthermore, Denmark and Germany are also dispatching Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine as part of the military support.
Verification tests are currently underway for the final two Leopard 2 tanks before their delivery. The ministry confirmed that the initial batch of 12 tanks has already been prepared for shipment, with all 14 tanks slated for delivery before summer’s end.
While an exact shipping date was not provided by the Dutch ministry, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry expressed gratitude through its social media channels, affirming the enhanced battlefield capabilities the new tanks will provide.
Spain’s Defense Ministry recently announced the dispatch of an additional 10 refurbished Leopard 2A4 battle tanks to Ukraine, further reinforcing international support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.