Rheinmetall to supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

German defence contractor Rheinmetall is to supply 14 Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine next year, the company said in Düsseldorf on Tuesday announcing a contractual deal with representatives of the German, Dutch and Danish governments, reported dpa.

Denmark and the Netherlands had said in April that they would jointly provide Ukraine with the 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks. The tanks were not to come from the countries' own stocks but were to be purchased from the German industry's stock, overhauled and then donated to Ukraine. The costs were estimated at around €165 million at the time.

The tanks are to be delivered in the course of 2024, with the first Leopard scheduled to reach Ukraine in January.

Kiev asked Western countries to support its fight against the Russian war of aggression by supplying battle tanks.

Germany and several other European states have already provided various models of Leopard tanks, while other countries such as the US, Britain and France have sent other makes.