Federal Government issues licences for export of Leopard 1 A5 tanks to Ukraine

As part of the support efforts within the EU network and in close coordination with international partners, the Federal Government is supplying Leopard 1 A5 battle tanks to Ukraine so the country can exercise its legitimate right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression. The Federal Government had announced already last week that it had taken a political decision to this effect. This was followed by a number of necessary formal steps in the authorisation process.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, which is the body formally responsible for export licences, has issued licences to German defence companies for the export of up to 178 Leopard 1 A5 battle tanks to Ukraine. The question as to how many Leopard 1 A5 battle tanks will in fact be sent to Ukraine depends on the progress of the required repair work.

The financing and repair of the tanks and the training of the Ukrainian armed forces is undertaken in close coordination with the Federal Republic of Germany’s European partners.