MOSCOW, February 1 Spain plans to transfer four to six Leopard 2A4 tanks, the Pais newspaper reports, citing government sources.
«Four to six Leopard 2A4s. That is the number of tanks Spain plans to supply to Ukraine,» the source quoted the publication as saying.
The final volume of delivery will be depend on the condition of the 53 tanks that «were stored for a decade» in Zaragoza.
As noted, the commissioning of one machine will require more than 500 thousand euros. The Spanish military also developed a two and a half month training course for the host country. It is planned to train at least ten tank crews, as well as mechanics and other maintenance personnel.
January 29, 13:00Infographic
Leopard 2: Germany's main battle tankInfographicView
According to Pais, in addition to tanks, the Spanish Ministry of Defense can provide Kyiv with spare parts, but is unable to provide ammunition that is not produced in the country. The interlocutor of the publication did not rule out that the shells could be taken from army stocks.
The German government, after pressure from NATO allies, had previously stated that it would transfer Leopard 2 to Ukraine and allow the supply of German tanks to other countries that have them. Germany at the first stage plans to provide a company of 14 Leopard 2 type A6 from the stocks of the Bundeswehr. The United States also announced the dispatch to Ukraine of a battalion complex — 31 units — of modern Abrams tanks of its own production. At the same time, the White House specified that their delivery would take «many months».
Russia sent a note to NATO countries because of the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo with foreign weapons would become a legitimate target for Russia.