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Almost All Leopard-2 Tanks “Gone”; German Lawmaker Says Only A Few MBTs Supplied To Ukraine Operational
A prominent German lawmaker and key decision-maker in defense budget allocations, Sebastian Schäfer, has revealed that only a limited number of the modern Leopard 2 tanks supplied by Germany to Ukraine are currently operational.
According to Schäfer, who holds influential roles in the Bundestag’s defense and finance committees, the primary cause behind this operational shortfall is the scarcity of essential spare parts needed for repairs.
Schäfer, an economist and member of Germany’s Green Party, recently communicated his concerns in a letter, urging weapons manufacturers to address the challenges in the repair process and expedite the supply of spare parts for the damaged Leopard tanks,
reported Der Spiegel, a prominent German media outlet.
The lawmaker and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited a repair workshop in Lithuania in late December, discovering that repairs were being significantly delayed.
The shortage of spare parts has led to only a “very small number” of the originally delivered Leopard tanks remaining operational in Ukraine, as highlighted by Schäfer.
“Unfortunately, it has to be noted that only a very small number of the main battle tanks delivered can still be used by Ukraine,” the politician said.
The urgency of the matter was underscored by the lawmaker, who emphasized the need for swift action to reinforce the supply of spare parts. Additionally, he pointed out that attempts by Ukrainian forces to conduct repairs have, in some instances, further exacerbated the damage to the Leopard tanks.
In proposing a solution, Schäfer suggested that Germany engage in discussions to provide additional training or instructions for Ukrainian mechanics.
Adding another layer to this predicament, representatives from the industrial repair shop in Lithuania disclosed to German media that the repair processes are protracted due to a pronounced scarcity of essential spare parts.
This revelation underscores a critical challenge in maintaining the operational readiness of military assets, necessitating urgent attention from relevant stakeholders.
Nonetheless, Berlin remains committed to providing ongoing support to Ukraine. In November, Germany’s defense ministry announced a substantial support package for Ukraine, totaling around $1.1 billion and encompassing a diverse array of new weapons.