War in Ukraine: Leopard tank inventory review coming soon

Enlarge image

Boris Pistorius: »Leopard Nation«

Photo: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images

On the instructions of the new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the availability of Leopard 2 main battle tanks for Ukraine is currently being examined.

The result will be available shortly, said the SPD politician in the ZDF "Morgenmagazin".

This is the prerequisite for "that if a yes comes, which may be the case in the next few days, that we are then also able to act quickly, can train and then also be able to relocate the associations accordingly".

Pistorius emphasized again that the decision on deliveries was made in the Chancellery.

He pointed out that Germany as a "leopard nation" had a special responsibility and role.

312 Leopard 2 tank

According to SPIEGEL information, however, the Ministry of Defense has had a detailed list of various Leopard models that the troops have available since early summer 2022 and that could be considered for delivery to Ukraine.

The table, which is classified as classified, is available to SPIEGEL.

more on the subject

Weapons aid for the Ukraine: The Bundeswehr could give up these Leopard tanks by Matthias Gebauer

According to the list, the Bundeswehr has a total of 312 different Leopard 2 tanks of different series, of which 99 were for maintenance and repair work in the defense industry in May last year, and one was already being discarded.

As a result, there are 212 Leopard 2 models in the list under the Troop Inventory tab.

Among these are the various models 2A5, 2A6, 2A7 and 2A7V, which is the most modern version of the weapon system.

As of May 22, the force had 53 of the Leopard 2A7V variant.

According to Bundeswehr insiders, the list also shows which models would be suitable for delivery to Ukraine.

Accordingly, it is conceivable that the Bundeswehr could hand over the 19 Leopard 2A5 models.

According to the list, these are currently used to "represent enemy forces" in the army's combat training center, so they simulate enemy tanks during maneuvers.

The troops say that the 2A5 models are best left out because they are only used for exercises.

The list raises suspicions that the exam was an attempt to buy time.

"Not wanting to deliver main battle tanks because there are no stock lists is a sign of inadequacy or a claim to protection," tweeted the CDU defense politician Henning Otte at the weekend.

Scholz in criticism

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has been internationally criticized for weeks for his reluctance to deliver main battle tanks to Ukraine, and there has also been resentment in his own coalition.

The government justifies its action by weighing the risks of escalation and the need for international coordination.

Ukraine has been asking for battle tank deliveries for months to resist the Russian attack.

Several EU countries had criticized the federal government on Monday at the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, in some cases very clearly.

Poland announced that it would ask Germany for approval for the delivery of Leopard-type main battle tanks made in Germany to Ukraine – but made it clear that if necessary it would also want to deliver Leopard 2 tanks in a small coalition without permission.

Defense Minister Pistorius now wants to meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the morning, when the issue of arms deliveries will probably come up again.

ptz/dpa