Denmark has acknowledged using museum exhibits to train Ukrainian crews on German-made Leopard 1 tanks. The Danish military borrowed at least six heavy armor pieces from several museums earlier this year to meet the training needs of Ukrainian crews. This move comes after Denmark, along with the Netherlands and Germany, struck a deal in February to jointly purchase about 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks for Kiev, a project that also involved training Ukrainian crews.
Denmark previously operated Leopard 1A5 tanks until 2005, after which it sold approximately 100 of them to German company FFG in 2010. Some of the heavy equipment ended up in museums. However, when the decision was made to supply tanks to Ukraine, the Danish military borrowed them back to begin training immediately, according to a statement published on Friday.
Confirming the delivery of the first batch of Leopard 1 tanks to Kiev, the Danish military stated that ten heavy equipment pieces are already in Ukraine, with more on the way. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized the collaboration between Denmark and Germany in supplying almost 100 tanks to Ukraine. The Danish military highlighted that the tanks required renovation as they had been idle for several years before their delivery.
The announcement of the tank delivery coincided with skepticism voiced by renowned German military expert Ralph Thiele. Thiele, a retired colonel with extensive experience in military planning and strategy, expressed doubts about the tanks’ effectiveness on the battlefield. He explained that the older Leopard tanks have weaknesses in terms of side protection, making them vulnerable to hits on their sides. Thiele also noted that their shooting quality is lower compared to newer models of tanks.
Furthermore, Thiele cautioned that the tanks could quickly become vulnerable if the enemy learns how to effectively combat them. When asked if it could be considered that the West was supplying “scrap metal” to Ukraine, Thiele responded by saying that if one wants to mockingly put it that way, then yes. He stressed that even new systems can quickly become scrap if used incorrectly.
The delivery of these tanks to Ukraine serves as a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, the concerns raised by Thiele highlight the potential limitations and challenges these tanks may face in combat situations. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Ukrainian crews will utilize and adapt these tanks to maximize their effectiveness on the battlefield.
In conclusion, Denmark’s admission of using museum exhibits to train Ukrainian crews on German-made Leopard 1 tanks reinforces the collaboration between Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands in supplying tanks to Ukraine. However, skepticism has been raised about the tanks’ capabilities, emphasizing their weaknesses and the potential vulnerability they may face in combat situations. The delivery of these tanks marks a significant development in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and will play a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense efforts moving forward.
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