“Vehicles are moldy, electronics are rotten”
That’s why tank deliveries take so long
Ukraine wants old Leopard tanks from Germany. Even if Berlin should decide to deliver, it would take a long time. An expert explains why.
Published: 31 minutes ago
1/6
According to the head of the German arms company Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, repairing Leopard tanks for Ukraine will take almost a year.
So far, the German government has been reluctant to deliver Leopard tanks to Ukraine. The Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine met at the US Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany on Friday to discuss further military support for the country. It could also be about the German battle tank.
In Germany there are large stocks of decommissioned Leopard 1 tanks, and Leopard 2 tanks could also be prepared for use in Ukraine. Ukraine wants both. But repairs take time. According to the head of the German arms company Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, almost a year. An expert from a private company that “knows about tanks” explains to “Spiegel” why it’s taking so long.
“Covers, seats, electrics, it’s all rotten”
According to the unnamed tank expert, for example, everything on the Leopard 1 should actually be renewed. “You have to see the age of the vehicles, they were all in use,” says the expert. Then they were simply turned off. “The vehicles are moldy inside. Covers, seats, electrics, it’s all rotten.” When it comes to the wiring harnesses, he is primarily concerned about an aluminum alloy. “The vehicles have a huge electronic problem,” he says.
In other words, the tanks have to be practically completely disassembled and reassembled. Rafael Loss from the European Council on Foreign Relations confirms: “If you leave your car in the yard for 30 years, it doesn’t do you any good either.” It takes enormous resources, the older the material is.
Spain deal failed
It may be that spare parts cannot be delivered for a long time. They may not even be produced anymore. If the leopards are to be delivered to Ukraine, they must also be prepared “according to Bundeswehr standards”, as the expert further explains. The requirements for this are strict.
Last summer, Spain already agreed to deliver between 40 and 54 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. But the deal failed. The official reason from Spain: The tanks are too dilapidated to be sent into battle. They could pose a danger to the crew even without external influence. (noo)