In a recent turn of events, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock admitted on Monday that Germany had sent outdated or nearly non-functional military equipment to Ukraine, a fact also confirmed by Ukraine's rejection of 10 archaic Leopard-1A5 tanks from Germany due to their significant need for repairs. This information comes amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, where Berlin has been a key player in providing military aid.
The issue came to light when Denmark's Defense Ministry found that 12 out of 20 Leopard 1A5 tanks supplied to Ukraine were faulty, as reported by the Danish government-owned TV2 channel. The tanks, which required extensive repairs, were being fixed by Ukraine's own military forces. The disclosure was followed by a statement from Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, revealing that two additional tanks from another batch sent by Denmark and currently in Poland were also found to be faulty.
German Foreign Minister Baerbock addressed the issue in an interview with an American media outlet, stating "It does not only help to promise, and then you cannot deliver, or deliver things which do not work. Some of our systems were really old-fashioned." She acknowledged that while the intent was to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, the quality and functionality of the equipment sent fell short of expectations.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy reported that up until July 2023, Berlin had supplied military aid worth $18.9 billion to Ukraine, making it the second-largest provider after the United States. This included an agreement between Denmark, Netherlands, and Germany to send at least 100 obsolete Leopard 1 MBTs to Kyiv.
However, the technical issues and the lack of trained technicians for repairs have posed significant challenges for Ukraine. The country's military has had to reject several shipments, including a batch of 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks offered by Berlin last week due to difficulties with repairs, as reported by German news outlet Spiegel.
The situation underscores the complexities involved in international military aid, especially in an active conflict zone where the need for functional equipment is immediate and critical. As Germany continues its efforts to support Ukraine, the issue of outdated and faulty equipment will likely remain a point of concern.
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