The Leopard-2 tanks used by Ukraine are experiencing issues with spare parts.

A similar problem has significantly reduced the capability of the Ukrainian PZH-200. In this instance, the lack of spare parts has seemingly turned sending the tanks to Lithuania into a major issue due to the distances and the time it takes for them to be sent and returned to service.

These tanks, originally sent by Germany to reinforce Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, have encountered damage and wear from active service. Concerns arise over prolonged repair periods and logistics challenges involved in transporting the tanks to Lithuania for maintenance. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Lithuania to assess the repair situation and addressed concerns to the involved defense companies, emphasizing the need to improve spare parts supply and establish repair capabilities within Ukraine. 

It have been also stressed the necessity for increased support from Germany and advocates for providing long-range cruise missiles to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian forces amid potential decreases in aid from the United States. The article underscores the urgency of expanding assistance to Ukraine in line with Germany's economic strength.

Spanish Military to Bolster NATO Presence in Slovakia Against Russian Threat

The Spanish Army will begin deploying along the Russian border in January to protect NATO's eastern flank. Spain plans to deploy over 600 soldiers in Slovakia, along with Leopard and Pizarro combat tanks, armored vehicles, and potentially, Army helicopters, as reported by ABC.

This maneuver aims to bolster NATO's presence on its eastern flank, near the border with Russia. The decision was reportedly announced by the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, during the NATO summit held in July in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The initial troops will be sent to the Slovak base in Lest in January, while the official mission will commence on July 1. Spain will thus assume leadership of the land battalion, previously commanded by the Czech Republic.

Additionally, military sources pointed out that the mission in Slovakia will be one of the most comprehensive operations of the Spanish Armed Forces to date and "will not have to go through the Congress filter," despite the National Defense Law requiring all operations conducted abroad, not directly related to Spain's defense or national interest, to obtain the Parliament's authorization.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense indicated that the maneuver is part of NATO's operation on the eastern flank, known as Enhanced Forward Presence, which is already active in Latvia. Thus, it is not a new operation but an extension of an existing one, as argued by the agency.

Even though the government almost certainly has parliamentary support – typically backed by the People's Party (PP) and Vox – the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) aims to avoid conflicts with Sumar and its coalition partners, traditionally critical on Defense matters.

Since March 2022, NATO has deployed troops in eight European countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Poland receives first Leopard 2A5 MBTs

Poland has received its first batch of Leopard 2A5 from ex-German Army stocks.
A total of 11 Leopard 2A5s were delivered by rail to west Poland, where their intended user, the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, is based.
Poland ordered a total of 105 Leopard 2A5 MBTs, plus 14 of the earlier Leopard 2A4 variant and around 200 support and logistics vehicles, from ex-German stocks in 2013. Poland already operates 124 Leopard 2A4 MBTs, plus a large inventory of Soviet-era T-72M and PT-91. The new Leopards will replace the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade's two battalions of PT-91 tanks, while Poland's T-72M MBTs are planned to be phased out of service.
49 of the new tanks should be delivered by mid-2014, with all vehicles being delivered by mid-2015.
janes

German Government To Cancel Saudi Tank Deal

The German government will not approve a reported deal to sell up to 800 battle tanks to Saudi Arabia.
The sale of the Leopard-2 tanks was billed as one of the biggest deals for the German armaments industry.
Economy Minister , a Social Democrat in the left-right “grand coalition,” has “positioned himself against a tanks delivery to the autocratic royal house,” it said.
Without agreement from the economy minister, the deal has no chance.
In 2012 was reported that Saudi Arabia wanted to buy 600-800 Leopard battle tanks from Germany, more than twice as many as originally envisaged.
The Leopard-2 tanks, Germany’s main battle tank, is also produced under license in Spain.
Germany declined to sell heavy weapons to Saudi Arabia for decades because of concerns over human rights and fears for Israel’s security.
defensenews

El Ejército de Tierra hiberna 53 Leopard 2A4 en una base de Zaragoza ante las restricciones económicas

El Ejército de Tierra ha puesto en práctica un Plan de Almacenamiento de Larga Duración de Carros de Combate que supone someter a un proceso de hibernación un primer lote de 53 Leopard 2A4 durante, al menos, cinco años como consecuencia de las restricciones económicas por las que se atraviesa.

infodefensa

Todavía no se ha concretado la venta por España de carros Leopard a Arabia Saudí/ No Deal Yet Between Saudis, Spain on Leopard Tanks

Un alto oficial de Arabia Saudí ha visitado España para iniciar las negociaciones por la posible compra de 200 carros de combate Leopard 2E, sin haberse llegado a concretar el contrato.
Un portavoz español ha declarado que España puede cumplir con los requerimientos de Arabia Saudí, aunque hay muchos países interesados en el contrato.
En las próximas fechas una delegación saudía visitará España para obtener asesoramiento técnico.
El príncipe Khaled se reunió con el Rey Juan Carlos y el presidente español.
La venta estaría condicionada a la aprobación de Kraus-Maffei y Rheinmetall de Alemania, que ostentan la patente del Leopard.
Arabia Saudí y España firmaron un acuerdo de cooperación militar en 2008, aunque hasta la fecha se limita a entrenamiento en cazas Eurofighter.
defensenews
_______________________________
A senior Saudi Arabian official discussed buying Spain's Leopard 2E tanks here Nov. 2but no deal was signed for a contract.
Saudi Arabia "showed interest in the acquisition of battle tanks, and Spain believes it has the tanks Saudi Arabia needs in terms of quality and competitive price," the official said.
No decision on the contract would be taken during this visit, the official said.
"We hope that the Spanish military industry can meet Saudi Arabia's needs but other countries are interested [in the Saudi contract]," the official added.
Spain was working to conclude a deal and negotiations could last weeks or months, the source said, adding that another Saudi delegation would visit to assess the tanks' technical specifications.
Prince Khaled arrived in Spain on Nov. 1 and met with King Juan Carlos before seeing the Spanish prime minister Nov. 2. He is making the trip in place of his father, Saudi Defence Minister and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz, who diplomats say is unwell.
Signing the contract would be conditional on approval from Germany's Kraus-Maffei and Rheinmetall group, which holds the patents for the Leopard.
The Saudis signed a military cooperation agreement with Spain in 2008, which up to now has mainly been limited to training Saudi pilots on the Eurofighter at its southern air base of Moron.
defensenews

Brasil recibe segundo lote de 29 carros Leopard 1A5

El Ejército brasileño ha recibido el segundo lote de 29 carros de combate Leopard 1A5BR de fabricación alemana, adquiridos mediante un acuerdo a través de un acuerdo entre los gobiernos de las Repúblicas Federales de Alemania y Brasil. Las entregas de los tanques finalizarán en 2011.
Los carros de combate serán transportados hasta la guarnición de Santa María, en el centro del estado, y sede de la 3ª División del Ejército (Divisão Encouraçada.
Los carros son de segunda mano pero modernizados.
El primer lote llegó a Brasil en diciembre de 2009. En total fueron 29 carros de combate de línea (VBC), siete de socorro (VBE), cuatro lanza puentes (VBE), cuatro de ingenieros (VBE), un simulador para adiestramiento, y cuatro simuladores para
En diciembre de 2008, Alemania y Brasil firmaron un acuerdo para la adquisición de 250 carros de combate (VBC CC) Leopard A1 A5 BR, siete unidades blindadas especializadas (VBE) Socorro Leopard 1 BR, cuatro VBE Lanza puentes Leoparad 1 BR, cuatro VBC Ingenieros Leopard 1 BR y cuatro VBE Escolta Leopard 1.


infodefensa.com

Canadá desplegará carros de combate modernizados Leopard en Afganistán/Canada to deploy upgraded Leopards to Afganistan

Según Jane's, Canada is desplegará carros de combate Leopard 2A4 modernizados en Afganistán a finales de año. Canadá tiene 20 Leopard 2A6M en leasing, procedentes del ejército alemán, de los que 19 se encuentran en Afganistán y uno está en la fábrica de la firma Krauss-Maffei Wegmannm Alemania como prototipo. Las mejoras consisten en escudos térmicos, barras de protección contra RPG7, y protecciones contra las altas temperaturas de la zona, tanto para el vehículo como para la tripulación, así como equipo de comunicaciones específico canadiense.
Copyright © IHS (Global) Limited, 2010
_____________________________________________________________________________________
According Jane's Canada is to field its upgraded Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) in Afghanistan later this year.. Canada has leased 20 Leopard 2A6M MBTs from the German Army, of which 19 were deployed to Afghanistan and one retained by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in Germany as a reference model. Enhancements to the Canadian Leopard 2s include external heat shields; bar armour for increased protection against RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs); crew-cooling vests; electronic cooling; an enhanced chiller unit; and Canadian-specific communications equipment.
The tanks were already fitted with a mine protection kit (MPK) and have also been equipped with electronic systems to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Copyright © IHS (Global) Limited, 2010