According to the Federal Ministry of Defense, the German-Slovak tank ring exchange is progressing: On Tuesday, Armaments State Secretary Benedikt Zimmer signed the declaration of intent together with his Slovakian counterpart. The intention is to deliver 15 main battle tanks from the stocks of the German armaments industry, as the ministry announced.
The first main battle tank should therefore reach the Slovakian army before the end of this year. Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) was unable to attend the appointment herself, according to the ministry “due to corona”.
With the exchange of rings, Germany is supporting Ukraine “in its fight against the Russian aggressor,” it said. The delivery of armored personnel carriers to Ukraine has created a gap in Slovakia’s operational readiness. With the declaration it was agreed that Germany would close part of this gap by handing over German main battle tanks.
“Slovakia will hand over armored personnel carriers to Ukraine as soon as possible, which the soldiers there are already familiar with and which can be used immediately to defend the country against Russia,” Lambrecht said. “In return, we will deliver fifteen Leopard 2 A4s from defense industry stocks to Slovakia, supplemented by an ammunition, training and logistics package.”
The minister emphasized: “In addition to our direct arms deliveries, the exchange of rings has proven to be a sensible way to support Ukraine’s struggle for survival quickly and effectively.” With the delivery of the Leopard package, “Germany is keeping its word.”
