Repaired German Leopard tanks for Ukraine ready in 2024 at earliest: Arms maker
German arms maker Rheinmetall can only deliver repaired Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine in 2024 at the earliest, its chief executive has been quoted as saying by Bild newspaper.
Germany announced earlier this month that it would provide Ukraine with Marder infantry fighting vehicles to help repel Russian forces. But Kyiv has also requested heavier vehicles such as the Leopards, which would represent a significant step up in Western support to Ukraine.
Repairing the tanks it has in stock would cost several hundred million euros and the company could not begin doing so before the order was confirmed, Papperger told Bild. “The vehicles must be completely dismantled and rebuilt,” he said.