A recent report by Danish channel TV 2 has revealed that more than half of the Leopard 1 battle tanks supplied by Denmark to Ukraine are faulty. This comes after an earlier delivery from Germany was rejected by Kiev due to similar issues. The report cited a briefing by Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who acknowledged that 12 out of the 20 tanks provided by Denmark had problems.
According to the report, ten of the faulty tanks are already in Ukraine, but they only have minor defects that can be fixed by local repairmen. The remaining ten tanks are still in Poland, and at least two of them have serious faults. This development has raised concerns about the quality of the Danish tanks and their suitability for combat operations.
In February, Denmark, along with Germany and the Netherlands, struck a deal to provide Ukraine with 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks. These tanks are manufactured by Germany, and Denmark had decommissioned its own Leopard 1A5 models back in 2005. However, the delivery of the tanks was delayed in July due to technical problems related to the renovation of gun turrets.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Ukraine has encountered problems with the Leopard tanks. A report by Germany’s Der Spiegel news outlet earlier this week revealed that Kiev had rejected a batch of ten Leopard 1s supplied by Berlin due to their poor condition. This raises questions about the quality control process and the suitability of the tanks for use in combat situations.
Furthermore, Danish Defense Minister Poulsen admitted in September that at least six of the tanks used in a training program for Ukrainian troops had been borrowed from museums. He stated that the tanks in need of renovation had been idle for several years. This revelation further undermines the confidence in the Danish tanks and their ability to meet the operational requirements of the Ukrainian military.
The faulty tanks provided by Denmark pose a significant challenge for Ukraine, which is currently engaged in a conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country. The Ukrainian military heavily relies on armored vehicles like the Leopard tanks for its operations. The faulty tanks not only limit the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian forces but also raise concerns about the safety of the personnel operating them.
It remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and whether Denmark will take responsibility for the faulty tanks or provide replacements. The Ukrainian military is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the US tank deliveries promised by President Joe Biden. These tanks are expected to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities and provide much-needed support in the ongoing conflict. However, until the arrival of the US tanks, Ukraine will have to grapple with the challenges posed by the faulty Danish Leopard tanks.
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