Ukraine's military personnel training on Leopard 1 tanks in Germany
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told this to journalists after visiting a military training area in Klietz (Saxony-Anhalt) together with his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
At this training area, instructors teach the Ukrainian military how to operate Leopard 1A5 tanks that are donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by Denmark.
Verteidigungsminister #Pistorius und sein 🇩🇰Amtskollege Troels Lund Poulsen haben sich zur #einsatzorientierten Ausbildung 🇺🇦 #Streitkräfte besprochen. Anschließend werden sich beide auf dem Truppenübungsplatz Klietz einen Überblick davon verschaffen. pic.twitter.com/zTtJQJqJJ8
— Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) May 5, 2023
"Some will say it is an old tank, but it is still very effective and combat-ready. It is newer than the Russian T-72s that are widely used now and transferred by some partners," Pistorius said.
He said he was happy with cooperation with Denmark in terms of providing aid to Ukraine. He called it one of the examples of multinational support and cooperation between the armies of the countries, as well as between the army and industry.
Photo: Dänische Botschaft Hyldelund
Pistorius recalled that Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands are financing the repair and modernization of about 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks.
Photo: Dänisches Verteidigungsministerium
He also noted that training of another group of Ukrainian soldiers on the Marder IFV would soon begin at this training area. In the future, the Dutch military will also join the training courses. Training will also be held in other locations.
Pistorius called the visit to the training ground "another strong signal of determination and unity around support for Ukraine against the Russian aggressor."
About a hundred Leopard 1A5s are being repaired by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
