German defense contractor Rheinmetall would not be able to deliver refurbished Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine any earlier than 2024 and would need a confirmed order to begin repair work, its CEO Armin Papperger was quoted by Bild newspaper on Sunday. "The vehicles must be completely dismantled and rebuilt," he added.
Rheinmetall has 22 Leopard 2 and 88 older Leopard 1 vehicles. The German army has approximately 350 Leopard 2 tanks today, compared to some 4,000 battle main tanks at the height of the Cold War. Germany's defense industry is banned by law from producing tanks for stock-keeping. Even if production were ramped up, experts say it could take at least two years for new tanks to be ready for use.
Germany announced earlier this month that it would provide Ukraine with 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, but these would also need repairs taking seven to eight months before they could be used.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said this week that his country would transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö also indicated willingness to supply tanks, however, Germany, which manufactures the Leopard 2, has to permit re-exporting.
