10 more Leopard 2 tanks delivered from Poland – Błaszczak
Ukraine received the remaining 10 of 14 Leopard 2 tanks promised by Poland after Ukrainian service members completed training to operate this equipment.
"We support Ukraine within the international coalition," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Poland, Mariusz Blaszczak, stated at a briefing on March 9, the European Pravda reports. "In addition to 14 Polish Leopard tanks, this battalion includes four tanks from Canada, eight from Norway, and six from Spain," the minister continued.
Blaszczak added that he is negotiating with his Spanish colleague Margarita Robles regarding possibly providing more tanks to Ukraine — "perhaps four more."
Wicepremier, szef MON Mariusz Błaszczak: Zakończył się proces szkolenia ukraińskich żołnierzy na czołgach Leopard#wieszwięcej #Ukraina 🇵🇱🇺🇦 @MON_GOV_PL @mblaszczak pic.twitter.com/5Qf9SrOTwD
— tvp.info 🇵🇱 (@tvp_info) March 9, 2023
"So we are certainly dealing with a battalion of heavy tanks, which in the case of the Polish side have already been transferred, and in the case of our allies will be transferred to Ukraine in a short time," the minister emphasized.
The Polish minister also recalled the idea of creating a maintenance center for Leopard 2 tanks in Poland, which he is discussing with Germany.
"The problem is to provide spare parts for these tanks. Twenty years ago, the production of these parts stopped, but we are ready to resume this production. Of course, in cooperation with the Germans, we are in dialogue that the Leopard tanks that have been or will be delivered to Ukraine were serviced and repaired in Poland," Blaszczak explained.
Poland was the first of the Western allies to transfer modern Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Warsaw will also provide 60 PT-91 Twardy tanks.
