German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is reportedly preparing to export Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, in a move that could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in the region. According to a report by the business daily Handelsblatt, industry sources have revealed that Rheinmetall has acquired 50 older Leopard 1 tanks from the Belgian company OIP Land Systems for this purpose.
The chief executive of OIP Land Systems, Freddy Versluys, disclosed to British newspaper The Guardian that he had already sold nearly 50 tanks to another European government. However, he could not divulge the buyer’s identity due to a confidentiality clause, and the price of the transaction remains undisclosed.
The transfer of the Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine may take up to six months before they are ready for deployment on the battlefield, as reported by Versluys. The tanks are expected to undergo re-equipping for the war effort in Ukraine at the German facilities of Rheinmetall Group, located in Düsseldorf.
Handelsblatt’s report suggests that approximately 30 out of the 50 acquired vehicles will eventually be delivered to Ukraine. The Leopard 1 tanks hold historical significance as the predecessor to the Leopard 2 tanks currently utilized by the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces.
The potential export of these battle tanks to Ukraine raises questions about the impact on the ongoing conflict in the region, as well as the geopolitical implications for all parties involved. The move also underscores the complex web of arms trade and diplomacy that continues to shape global dynamics.
(With inpuits from DPA News Agency)
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