Spain will send ten Leopard 2 tanks to bolster Ukraine by June 2024
Ukraine continues to require additional Leopard 2 tanks, as some have been destroyed or seized by Russian forces. Surprisingly, Spain will now replenish these tanks. Here are the details on what and when Ukraine will receive the support.
11:11 AM EDT, April 26, 2024
After refurbishment, Spain will deliver 10 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine by the end of June 2024, along with a shipment of missile projectiles for the Patriot system. This contribution is part of a larger support package for Ukraine, which includes artillery ammunition, Leopard 2 tanks, and units of anti-aircraft systems Aspide 2000 and upgraded MIM-23 Hawk systems.
This batch of 10 Leopard 2 tanks is intended to offset the loss of at least 17 Leopard 2 tanks, as documented by the Oryxspioenkop website.
Spain's Leopard 2 tanks: Long-stored assets now in demand
Spain's inventory includes about 50 Leopard 2A4 tanks that have been stored in warehouses for a long time. Despite their poor technical condition and the high cost associated with making them operational, these tanks have attracted attention from various countries looking to bolster their Leopard 2 fleets, especially after difficulty obtaining tanks from Switzerland.
The decision was made to refurbish these tanks and send them to Ukraine, marking another significant contribution to Leopard 2 tanks.
The Leopard 2A4 tanks, developed in the 1980s, showcase the era's European armored technology. They were the first mass-produced Western third-generation tanks, notable for their advanced design featuring multi-layer armor made of steel, composites, and ceramics.
Equipped with a stabilized cannon and an advanced fire control system, these tanks can achieve rapid and precise firing, even on the move, ensuring high performance and crew safety—starkly contrasting design practices in the USSR.
While the Leopard 2A4's armor might not be as advanced as the newer A5 or A6 models, it still offers substantial protection, particularly against older Soviet-era Russian tanks. With its 120-millimeter cannon and EMES 15 fire control system equipped with a thermal imager, the Leopard 2A4 remains capable of engaging even the most modern Russian tanks, given the appropriate ammunition is used.
