Ukraine rejected 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany because they required to be repaired while Ukraine had no technician or the required components to conduct the repairs themselves.
According to Ukrainian newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda quoting German outlet Spiegel Ukraine reported to the German defense ministry that the Leopard 1 tanks that reached Poland required repairs and some of them needed a significant overhaul.
Ukrayinska Pravda reported that Germany sent a group of specialists to Poland to study the condition of the tanks and it was then disclosed that the tanks “were already quite worn out after the training of the Ukrainian troopers in Germany and required repairs.”
Further, several of the Leopard tanks that reached Ukraine in July “broke down for the same cause.”
According to Ukrayinska Pravda Spiegel’s report further emphasized considerations about the condition of the Leopard 1A5 tanks, of which Germany undertook to ship 100 units to Ukraine. This situation sheds light on logistical challenges in Germany’s military service efforts, he added.
The tanks currently stranded in Poland form the second part of a large-scale supply of Leopard 1A5 tanks. These tanks were retired from operational service by the Bundeswehr more than a decade ago. However, due to the considerable number of tanks still in storage, there was a demand for armorers to undertake repairs urgently.
