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=== Ukraine === [[File:UA Leopard 1A5 02.jpg|thumb|Two Leopard 1A5DK of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, September 2023]] ==== Procurement problems==== At the outbreak of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|full-scale phase]] of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], Rheinmetall sought to buy back 96 Leopard 1A5IT tanks at the beginning of March 2022 from Swiss company RUAG, refurbish the tanks, and deliver them via a third country to Ukraine. Rheinmetall and RUAG signed a tentative purchase agreement for these tanks before a formal application for their sale and export was made with Swiss government authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Amherd stört sich am Vorgehen des Rüstungskonzerns |url=https://www.plattformj.ch/artikel/213167/ |work=Die Platform J |date=30 August 2023 |language=de}}</ref> Rheinmetall then requested an export permit for 88 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine in April 2022 along with 100 [[Marder (infantry fighting vehicle)|Marder IFVs]] it already had in its stocks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rheinmetall seeks permit to export Leopard tanks to Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/rheinmetall-seeks-permit-export-leopard-tanks-ukraine-2022-04-25/ |access-date=23 December 2023 |work=Reuters |date=25 April 2022}}</ref> However this was initially blocked by the Scholz government allegedly over concerns that the tanks could not easily be made battle ready.<ref>{{cite news |title=Explainer: Why is Germany not sending Ukraine heavy weapons? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/why-is-germany-not-sending-ukraine-heavy-weapons-2022-04-21/ |access-date=23 December 2023 |work=Reuters |date=21 April 2022}}</ref> A government source later revealed that the Chancellory was actually blocking Leopard tank transfers because it "would constitute a departure" from an informal NATO decision not to provide Western tanks at that time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Was wurde aus den spanischen Panzerlieferungen? |trans-title=What became of the Spanish tank deliveries? |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/news-olaf-scholz-russland-ukraine-waffenlieferungen-afd-a-10bbf76f-bc59-4d16-ae68-11ba716dacf1 |access-date=24 March 2023 |work=Der Spiegel |last=Amann |first=Melanie |date=10 June 2022 |language=de}}</ref> Following the 20 January 2023 meeting of the [[Ukraine Defense Contact Group]] a decision was reached to provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. The Scholz government subsequently lifted its ban on export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine. On 7 February 2023, the German federal government approved the export of 178 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine, which included 88 Leopard 1A5 Rheinmetall claimed to have, and 90 Leopard 1A5DK available from FFG stocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/ukraine-bundesregierung-genehmigt-lieferung-von-178-leopard-1-panzern-a-100fcfdc-332d-471e-9d1d-f78fd8c27cd5 |title=Bundesregierung genehmigt Lieferung von 178 Leopard-1-Panzern |website=Der Spiegal |language=de |date=7 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 February 2023 |work=Business Insider Deutschland |url=https://www.businessinsider.de/politik/deutschland/ukraine-bundesregierung-genehmigt-ausfuhr-von-leopard-1-panzern/ |title=Bundesregierung genehmigt Ausfuhr von 178 Leopard-1-Panzern in die Ukraine: Was das für den Krieg bedeutet |access-date=7 February 2023 | language=de |first1=Lars |last1=Petersen}}</ref> Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands subsequently issued a statement that the three countries would jointly finance the purchase of "at least" 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks. On February 13, Rheinmetall and RUAG signed a more formal agreement for the purchase of the 96 Leopard 1A5IT tanks stored in Italy, although this contract was also not formally approved by RUAG's management or board of directors.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Finanzkontrolle findet mehrere Ungereimtheiten bei Ruag-Panzerdeals | url=https://www.plattformj.ch/artikel/218241/ |work=Die Platform J |date=21 February 2024 |language=de}}</ref> In May, Denmark's acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen clarified in an interview that the joint-venture included 80 Leopard 1A5DK from FFG co-financed by Denmark and Germany.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Danmark sender stort bidrag af kampvogne til Ukraine |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2023-05-05-danmark-sender-stort-bidrag-af-kampvogne-til-ukraine |work=Nyheder TV2 |date=5 May 2023 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Denmark and Germany to supply 80 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine |url=https://newsinfrance.com/denmark-and-germany-to-supply-80-leopard-1-tanks-to-ukraine/ |work=News In France |date=5 May 2023}}</ref> Germany committed an additional 30 Leopard 1A5 tanks for Ukraine on 13 May 2023 as part of a new $2.95 billion military aid package.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bundesregierung verkündet 2,7-Milliarden-Euro-Militärpaket für die Ukraine |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/zur-verleihung-des-karlspreises-an-selenskyj-bundesregierung-verkundet-rustungspaket-im-wert-von-27-milliarden-euro-fur-die-ukraine-9814532.html |work=TagesSpiegel |date=13 May 2023 |language=de}}</ref> Canada agreed to supply 1,800 rounds of 105 mm training ammunition for the Leopard 1 tanks going to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Canadian donations and military support to Ukraine |department=National Defence |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/campaigns/canadian-military-support-to-ukraine.html |work=Government of Canada |date=24 March 2023}}</ref> The Dutch contribution to the German-Danish-Dutch Leopard 1 consortium has not been made public, and the Netherlands was not included with Denmark on Germany's formal list of military aid to Ukraine<ref>{{cite news |title=The arms and military equipment Germany is sending to Ukraine|url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/military-support-ukraine-2054992 |access-date=2024-05-03 |work=Bundesregierung |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317214651/https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/military-support-ukraine-2054992 |archive-date=2024-03-17}}</ref> until an update was made on March 29, 2024.<ref name=Bundesregierung /> In April 2023, it was reported that the Netherlands had planned to finance the purchase of the 88 Leopard 1A5IT tanks Rheinmetall had claimed to have, although these were still not in Rheinmetall's possession since a formal export permit had not been granted from the Swiss government.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2023 |title= Rüstungskonzern Ruag hortet Leopard-1-Panzer – Deutschland will auch sie kaufen |work=Tages-Anzeiger |url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/ruestungskonzern-ruag-hortet-leopard-1-panzer-deutschland-will-auch-sie-kaufen-690901853674 |access-date=6 March 2023 | language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nltimes.nl/2023/06/01/netherlands-wants-buy-dozens-leopard-1-tanks-patriot-missiles-ukraine |title=The Netherlands wants to buy dozens more Leopard 1 tanks, Patriot missiles for Ukraine |publisher=NL Times |date=2023-06-01}}</ref> In June, the Swiss Federal Council formally rejected RUAG's request for an export permit, blocking Rheinmtall's acquisition and the Netherlands ability to buy the tanks for Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nltimes.nl/2023/06/28/swiss-federal-council-shoots-dutch-plan-supply-leopard-tanks-ukraine |title=Swiss Federal Council shoots down Dutch plan to supply Leopard tanks to Ukraine |publisher=NL Times |date=2023-06-28}}</ref> Belgium was negotiating with OIP Land Systems over the purchase of an additional 50 Leopard 1A5BE tanks sold to the company in 2014, but could not come to an agreement on price.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 February 2023 |title= Ukraine Could Get 237 Leopard 1A5 Tanks—Assuming Someone Can Cut A Deal With A Belgian Arms-Dealer |work=Defense News |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/07/ukraine-could-get-237-leopard-1a5-tanks-assuming-someone-can-cut-a-deal-with-a-belgian-arms-dealer/?sh=5c8bf8bb4e2e |access-date=9 February 2023 | language=en |first1=David |last1=Axe}}</ref> On 11 July, Germany pledged a new €700 million aid package which included additional Leopard 1 tanks for Ukraine on top of those previously pledged. Rheinmetall subsequently purchased all 50 Leopard 1A5BE from OIP Land Systems to fulfill this obligation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rheinmetall Buys About 30 Leopard 1 Battle Tanks for Ukraine |work=BNN Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/rheinmetall-buys-about-30-leopard-1-battle-tanks-for-ukraine-1.1956866 |date=9 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Deal struck to send German-made Leopard 1 tanks from Belgium to Ukraine |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/deal-struck-send-german-made-leopard-1-tanks-belgium-ukraine-2023-08-08/ |date=8 August 2023}}</ref> 30 of these 50 tanks are to be refurbished for active service and 20 used for spare parts.<ref name="forbes.com"/> On November 14, Rheinmetall issued an update that only 25 were to be used for main battle tanks, 5 would be converted to Bergepanzer 2 armoured recovery vehicles, and 2 used for driver training vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/media/news-watch/news/2023/11/2023-11-14-rheinmetall-to-supply-ukraine-with-leopard-systems-on-behalf-of-german-government|title=Rheinmetall to supply Ukraine with over 30 Leopard 1 systems on behalf of German government|publisher=Rheinmetall|date=2023-11-14}}</ref> Denmark pledged an additional 30 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine on September 19, 2023, as part of a larger US$830 million aid package. The source of these tanks was not disclosed, with the Danish Defense Minister stating they would be purchased from other countries that had these tanks available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danmark sender flere kampvogne til Ukraine |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2023-09-19-danmark-sender-flere-kampvogne-til-ukraine|website=Nyheder |date=19 September 2023 |language=da}}</ref> These tanks were in addition to the 80 1A5DKs previously financed with Germany,<ref>{{cite web |title=Historisk stor dansk donation skal sikre flere kampvogne til Ukraine |url=https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2023/historisk-stor-dansk-donation-skal-sikre-flere-kampvogne-til-ukraine/ |date=23 September 2023 |language=da}}</ref> bringing the total number of Leopard 1A5 publicly pledged by Denmark and Germany to Ukraine to 165, although as many as 195 tanks may be financed already since Dutch contributions are not public.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/11/09/ukraines-getting-nearly-200-leopard-1a5-tanks-now-it-needs-new-tank-tactics/?sh=1c3ac3d3dbe5 |title="Ukraine's Getting Nearly 200 Leopard 1A5 Tanks. Now It Needs New Tank Tactics." |work=Forbes|date=2023-11-09}}</ref> The status of the 96 Leopard 1A5IT remains in legal limbo. Acquiring these tanks for Ukraine has been complicated by the Swiss government's refusal to sell the tanks to third countries due to neutrality concerns,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.italy24.press/world/595023.html |title=Leopard 1, RUAG wants to export them – RSI Swiss Radio and Television |publisher=Italy24 |date=2023-06-01}}</ref> as well as the discovery that 25 of these 96 were already purchased by Bavarian firm Global Logistics Support GmbH (GLS) back in 2019.<ref name="SwissInfo">{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/swiss-firm-already-sold-leopard-tanks-destined-for-ukraine/ |title=Swiss firm already sold Leopard tanks destined for Ukraine |publisher=SwissInfo |date=2023-08-27}}</ref> Germany considered negotiating with Greece the transfer of nearly 100 of their Leopard 1A5 tanks in exchange for Rheinmetall backfilling them on a one-to-one basis with the remaining Leopard 1s available from RUAG.<ref name="Forbes"/> However the matter was further complicated when Italian NGO OPAL discovered that Agenzia italiana difesa (AID), which sold the tanks to RUAG in 2016, did not have the necessary export permits to conclude the sale to RUAG in the first place, and no approval was provided by the licensing authority Uama.<ref name="Watson">{{cite web |url=https://www.watson.ch/international/schweiz/133017362-panzer-affaere-um-die-ruag-zieht-weitere-kreise-in-italien |title=Und wo blieb die Bewilligung in Italien? Panzer-Affäre um die Ruag zieht weitere Kreise |publisher=Watson |date=2023-09-08 |language=de}}</ref> As such, the legal ownership of the tanks is unclear. The Swiss Federal Audit Office, the German Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Italian government are investigating the matter to clarify the tanks' legal status, which could enable their eventual delivery to Ukraine.<ref name="Blick">{{cite web |url=https://www.blick.ch/politik/geplatzter-panzer-deal-wird-immer-verworrener-jetzt-schaltet-sich-italien-in-die-ruag-affaere-ein-id18918446.html |title=Jetzt schaltet sich Italien in die Ruag-Affäre ein |publisher=Blick |date=2023-09-07 |language=de}}</ref> However, on May 28, 2025, Switzerland green-lit the sale of its 71 remaining Leopard 1A5IT tanks held by RUAG to Germany, albeit on the condition that they were not sold to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=S. W. I. |date=2025-05-28 |title=Swiss government greenlights Ruag sale of Leopard tanks to Germany |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/ruag-mro-may-sell-leopard-battle-tanks-to-germany/89424668 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}</ref> ==== Delivery difficulties and delays ==== [[File:UA Leopard 1A5 01.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian Leopard 1A5DK during a training, September 2023]] Denmark's Defense Minister stated on 11 March 2023 that the first batch of Leopard 1 tanks should be delivered to Ukraine by the spring.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2023 |title= Troels Lund Poulsen: Kampvogne klar til ukrainerne i foråret |work=Forsvarsministeriet |url=https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2023/troels-lund-poulsen-kampvogne-klar-til-ukrainerne-i-foraret/ |language=da}}</ref> However, Germany's Defence Minister [[Boris Pistorius]] told his Ukrainian counterpart [[Oleksii Reznikov]] that 20-25 tanks would be delivered by the summer, around 80 by the end of 2023, and an additional 100 in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-govt-security-council-oks-delivery-178-leopard-1-tanks-ukraine-source-2023-02-07/ |title=Germany, Denmark, Netherlands to provide at least 100 Leopard 1 tanks for Kyiv |website=Reuters |date=7 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 February 2023 |title=European coalition to give refurbished Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine |work=Defense News |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/02/07/european-coalition-to-give-refurbished-leopard-1-tanks-to-ukraine/ |access-date=8 February 2023 | language=en |first1=Sebastian |last1=Sprenger}}</ref> The first 10 were delivered to Ukraine by 18 July 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Ukraine Just Got Its First 10 Leopard 1A5 Tanks. Now It Needs To Figure Out How To Use Them.|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/07/22/ukraine-just-got-its-first-10-leopard-1a5-tanks-now-it-needs-to-figure-out-how-to-use-them/?sh=c88efac50dc4 |work=Forbes |date=22 July 2023}}</ref> An additional 10 were delivered by 29 August, aligning with the delivery schedule given by Pistorius. However, the second batch of 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks to be delivered from Germany was refused by Ukraine due to the vehicles' poor condition and the lack of available spare parts and engineers to repair the vehicles in Ukraine. German experts travelled to Poland and confirmed the tanks required repairs due to the extensive training the vehicles performed in the preceding weeks. Germany agreed to cooperate on the tank repairs before their delivery.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine lehnt Einfuhr von älteren Leopard-Panzern aus Deutschland ab |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/waffenlieferungen-aus-deutschland-ukraine-lehnt-einfuhr-von-aelteren-leopard-panzern-ab-a-1789c3b1-e5b3-4750-bf0c-88dc8c519b20 |website=Der Spiegel |date=19 September 2023 |language=de}}</ref> As of May 2024, only 30 Leopard 1A5 have arrived in Ukraine. However, an additional 60 tanks have already been turned over but at the behest of the Ukrainian Armed Forces training was extended and remains ongoing in Germany; an additional 20 tanks will be fully upgraded by June by FFG, and the 25 1A5BEs will be refurbished by Rheinmetall by mid year.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/leopard-1-die-ukraine-bekommt-zu-wenige-deutsche-panzer-stimmt-nicht-mehr/29779552.html |title=Die Ukraine bekommt zu wenige deutsche Panzer? Stimmt nicht (mehr)! |publisher=Wirtschafts Woche |date=2024-05-03 |language=de}}</ref> As of 8 July 2024, 50 Leopard 1 tanks had been delivered to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-08 |title=Military support for Ukraine {{!}} Federal Government |url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/military-support-ukraine-2054992 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Website of the Federal Government {{!}} Bundesregierung |language=en}}</ref> ==== Active combat ==== [[File:UA 5th tank brigade Leopard 1 MBT front.jpg|thumb|Leopard 1A5V of 5th Independent Tank Brigade with [[Kontakt-1]] ERA blocks]] Beginning in summer 2023 Ukrainian Wisent 1 mine clearing vehicles and Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicles were used in the [[2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive]] in the [[Southern Ukraine campaign|Zaporizhzhia direction]], with at least one Wisent 1 being visually confirmed lost, and at least one Bergepanzer 2 suffering damage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html|title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine|website=[[Oryx (website)|Oryx]]|accessdate=26 March 2024}}</ref> On October 18, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine announced the official adoption of the Leopard 1A5, along with the Leopard 2A5 and 2A6.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2023/10/18/the-ministry-of-defence-adopted-three-modifications-of-the-leopard-tanks|title=The Ministry of Defence adopted three modifications of the Leopard tanks |publisher=Ministry of Defence of Ukraine |date=2023-10-18}}</ref> Footage of a destroyed Ukrainian Leopard 1A5 and Bergepanzer 2 appeared on social media in summer 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://postlmg.cc/kBdw4WVm|title=Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine}}</ref> '''Leopard 1 local upgrades''' By September of 2024 members of the Ukrainian 5th Independent Tank Brigade had upgraded their Leopard 1s to a standard that they dubbed "Leopard 1A5V". The Leopard 1A5V includes new additions such as extra armor, ERA blocks on the turret, front, and mid sections of the tank, as well as an extendable cage with netting to protect the turret from drones.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-s-upgraded-leopards-new-armor-and-fire-control-shine/ar-AA1qJSls?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhoverent&cvid=9036751cf5d44281e71a4a4b36f7a15f&ei=29 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref>
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