The Ukraine is to receive tanks of Soviet design from Slovakia – in return Slovakia will receive German Leopard 2 A4 battle tanks. There is now movement in the ring exchange, the framework conditions are now being defined. Germany wants to deliver this year.
Germany moves forward in ring swap with Slovakia for more arms supplies to Ukraine. In return for the fastest possible delivery of 30 Soviet-era armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, Slovakia is to receive 15 German Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks from armament industry stocks, supplemented by an ammunition, training and logistics package, as the Federal Ministry of Defense announced.
Both sides signed a declaration of intent in Bratislava, which also strengthens military cooperation between NATO partners. The first Leopard tank is scheduled to go to the Slovakian army later this year.
The exchange of rings for a delivery of weapon systems, which the soldiers in Ukraine are already familiar with and which could be used immediately to defend the country against Russia, has proven its worth, explained Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht. It is a sensible way to support Ukraine’s struggle for survival quickly and effectively.
“With the delivery of the Leopard package, Germany is keeping its word,” said Lambrecht, who was represented by Secretary of State Benedikt Zimmer at the signing of the declaration of intent in the Slovakian capital because of a corona infection. Most recently, there were problems with the ring exchange plans with Eastern European countries. Slovakia has already supplied Ukraine with an S-300 air defense system, military helicopters, howitzers and rocket launchers.