Norwegian Leopard A1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) from 2nd Armoured Battalion seen during Exercise ‘Battle Griffin 2005'. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
Rheinmetall is prepared to supply up to 50 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine, the company's CEO Armin Papperger told the Handelsblatt newspaper on 12 April. The German financial daily quoted Papperger as saying that the first Leopard 1 could be delivered in six weeks if the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, gives its approval.
Deliveries would be made via Rheinmetall Italia and could be completed in up to three months, according to Papperger, who said Ukrainian crews could be trained on the tanks within a few days.
He added that the condition of the tanks was being checked.
Handelsblatt reported that Rheinmetall has decommissioned Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 70 of which could be deliver to Ukraine within six to eight months, starting with the first 10 within five weeks.
Rheinmetall on 14 April confirmed the accuracy of the Handelsblatt story to Janes.
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