Spain to send six Leopard tanks to Ukraine: Defense Minister
As part of the Western countries ramping up their military support for Ukraine, Spain pledges six Leopard 2A4 tanks for the country.
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A Leopard tank (AFP)
Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced, on Wednesday, that Spain will send six Leopard tanks produced in Germany to Ukraine, knowing that the pledged tanks are under repair.
The six tanks are being repaired, and Madrid may deploy more Leopards to Ukraine "if it is necessary" and "if our allies ask for it," she said in parliament.
"We are working in full coordination with our allies," she said, without specifying when the tanks would be sent.
Robles stated last month that Spain was prepared to supply some Leopard tanks to Ukraine but did not specify how many.
Spain's announcement comes after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested on Friday that allies with available battle tanks should deliver them quickly.
Scholz's request signaled a dramatic shift in roles after originally resisting allies' demands to authorize the sale of German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
In January, Germany committed to sending 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine after being repeatedly pushed to do so by some of its EU and NATO allies. The United States reported it would send Ukraine 31 Abrams tanks and eight M88 recovery vehicles, noting that the delivery would take considerable time.
At the same time, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the country would send 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Last year, Spain delivered Hawk air defense systems to Kiev in the wake of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's meeting.
Yet, NATO allies are still struggling to field a full battalion of more advanced tanks.
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