Germany will supply Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2 A6 battle tanks, the German Embassy in Ukraine reports.
"Germany will supply 14 Leopard 2 A6 battle tanks to Ukraine. In addition to training of Ukrainian crews by the Bundeswehr, the package also includes logistics, ammunition and maintenance," the statement said.
The Leopard 2 A6 is one of the most advanced battle tanks in the world. Its main armament is a 120mm smoothbore gun that can engage targets at a range of up to 5,000 meters. After a short preparation, the Leopard 2 main battle tank can move in water up to four metres deep. Using the turret fire control system, the gunner can engage targets both on the move and in place. Leopard 2 has a main optical sight with a laser rangefinder and thermal imager. This makes it fully suitable for night combat.
The Leopard tank was adopted by the Bundeswehr in 1965 and became the first piece of equipment to be named after an animal. The original motive: the name should remind one of the power possessed by the owner of the weapon. Anyone who calls it by name evokes its deadly power. Combinations of letters and numbers cannot do this. In addition, figurative names are much easier to remember.
In the meantime, Germany is reported to be looking to buy 15 Gepard systems and ammunition from Qatar to transfer them to Ukraine. The Gepard systems have proven particularly successful in combating air raids, but Ukraine has only about 30,000 shells left.