The Czech Republic does not want to give up the Leopard 2 main battle tanks in favor of Ukraine, which Germany promised during an exchange of rings. “Now it is not possible to send the Leopards because we need these tanks for our security,” Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in an interview with the German Press Agency on Tuesday after a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. .
The Czech Republic made dozens of Soviet-designed T-72 main battle tanks available to Ukraine last year. The German government promised the government in Prague 14 Leopard 2 tanks and an armored recovery vehicle as part of the so-called exchange of rings. The first Leopard was delivered last December.
This exchange of rings is a “very good example of European cooperation”, said Fiala. He expects the other 13 Leopard 2 tanks promised by Germany to be delivered later this year.
In addition to the Czech Republic, Slovakia will also receive 15 Leopard 2 tanks during a ring swap from German armaments manufacturer Rheinmetall. So a total of 29 tanks are going to these two countries. According to Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger, the repair should be completed by the end of March. “These tanks belong to the federal government. They can do whatever they want with them,” Papperger told Stern.