Leopard 1 tanks idle in Italy as Swiss neutrality blocks transfer
For several years, nearly a hundred Leopard 1 tanks have been stored in an Italian warehouse. These tanks were retired from service in the Italian army and subsequently sold to the Swiss company RUAG. Efforts to transfer them to Ukraine have been hindered.
The potential transfer of 96 Leopard 1 tanks owned by RUAG to Ukraine was widely discussed in 2023. The Swiss company aimed to sell the equipment to Germany for renovation and eventual deployment to the front. However, Bern blocked such a transaction, citing Switzerland's neutrality, which not only avoids supporting Ukraine with military equipment but also prohibits re-export to Ukraine and instead prefers to dismantle unnecessary weapons.
Nearly a hundred tanks under tarps
Observers specializing in OSINT (open-source intelligence) have pointed to satellite images of the Italian warehouse where the contentious Leopard 1 tanks are stored. The images clearly show that the tanks have remained in the same location for several years. They are easily identifiable as they are stored outdoors, protected only by tarps.
Leopard 1A5 still useful at the front
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that even older tanks can be useful. This includes the German Leopards. In Ukraine, Leopard 2A4s from the 1980s and Leopard 1A5s from the 1990s, which are the last serial upgrade of the Leopard 1 tank, are serving effectively. This type of tank could bolster the Ukrainian army if Swiss authorities had not blocked the transfer.
Leopard 1A5s are equipped with a 105 mm caliber gun. Notably, they feature the EMES 18 fire control system, similar to that in the Leopard 2. In addition to a traditional optical sight, they provide the crew with a thermal sight and a ballistic computer, significantly improving situational awareness on the battlefield compared to Soviet-era tanks without thermal imaging.
Each of these tanks weighs nearly 88,000 pounds and offers a range of about 370 miles. The main issue for Ukrainians is the armor, which is weak by modern standards. They are attempting to address these weaknesses by installing reactive armor blocks and anti-drone nets.
