Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands to send Kiev 77 Leopard 1A5 tanks
2 Min Read
The German defense minister says the joint delivery will take place "as soon as possible".
-
A Leopard 1A5 in motion at the 2015 military day in Uffenheim (Wikimedia Commons)
Germany is set to provide Kiev in collaboration with Denmark and the Netherlands with an additional 77 Leopard 1A5 battle tanks, the German Defense Minister announced on Friday.
"[Berlin] has already delivered 58 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine as part of a joint project with Denmark. Another 77 Leopard 1A5 tanks will be delivered as soon as possible jointly with Denmark and the Netherlands," Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters during a visit to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Read more: Germany says can no longer give Ukraine Patriot defense systems
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged alliance members to continue their support for Kiev, warning that a Russian victory would pose the "greatest risk" to the alliance.
"The outcome of this war will shape global security for decades to come," Stoltenberg emphasized during a NATO's 75th anniversary summit in July.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted last month that Kiev requires 25 Patriot air defense systems to fully safeguard its airspace as the war nears its three-month mark.
During the July summit, the United States, Germany, Romania, and the Netherlands announced at that they are providing Ukraine with four Patriot systems.
Read more: Kremlin warns Europe of consequences for supporting US in Ukraine war
President Joe Biden described the "historic donation," adding, "This is a pivotal moment for Europe, for the transatlantic community, and, I might add, for the world," he added.
Romanian broadcaster Digi24 reported on Thursday, citing a regulatory document, that Romanian President Klaus Iohannis approved legislative amendments that will enable the provision of a Patriot air defense system to Kiev.
The Digi24 report added that the country's national defense ministry is authorized to allocate the necessary funds to cover fees and commissions associated with the restoration of ground-based air defense capabilities.
