Ringtausch brings indirect German aid to Ukraine
Leopard 2A4 MBT. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
In a convoluted fashion, Germany is assisting Ukraine via the Czech Republic.
Rheinmetall is supplying the Czech Republic with tanks and other armoured vehicles after the company signed a contract with the German and Czech MoDs on 11 October.
The Czech armed forces will be receiving upgraded Leopard 2A4 MBTs and Buffalo ARV 3 armoured recovery vehicles. In turn, the Czech military will transfer military equipment (probably including T-72 MBTs) to Ukraine under the German government’s “Ringtausch” equipment exchange programme.
Work on the Leopards and Buffalos ‘has already begun’, Rheinmetall noted in a company statement. The first vehicle is due to be shipped in December 2022, with deliveries to be completed by the end of 2023.
The Czech order includes ammunition as well as a service package encompassing training and spare parts.
The German authorities have been reluctant to supply Ukraine directly with the equipment Kyiv is demanding, leading to criticism that the government has been over-reliant on Russian energy supplies.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![BAE Systems to continue work on active protection system for US Army]()
BAE Systems to continue work on active protection system for US Army
BAE Systems Multi-Class Soft Kill System (MCSKS) countermeasure system has been designed to provide protection without the need for kinetic effort and will reduce the logistic chain required for protection.
-
![Lockheed Martin will complete first PrSM contract this year]()
Lockheed Martin will complete first PrSM contract this year
Lockheed Martin has received four production contracts for its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the US Army which add to the types of missiles used by M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and similar weapons.
-
![First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year]()
First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year
Turkey has experienced losses of tanks in Syria including Leopards to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). A new active protection system (APS) will reduce the likelihood of such attacks being effective.
