Slovakia asks for Leopard or other Western-made tanks in return
Slovakia’s government says it is ready to “immediately” deliver 30 T-72 tanks to Ukraine if it receives Western-made tanks to replace them, Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said today.
Last year, Slovakia sent 30 Soviet-made BVP-1 armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine following an agreement with Germany to acquire 15 Leopard 2 tanks.
“We have another 30 T-72 tanks that we can deliver to Ukraine immediately, even tomorrow, if we receive Western-made tanks – Leopard or another type – to replace them,” the Slovak defense minister said today.
For months, Ukraine’s government has been persistently asking the West for tanks to give its army more firepower in its fight to liberate territory seized by Russian invaders.
Earlier today, Germany officially announced the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, a move that Kyiv hailed as a potential turning point in the war.
Based on NATO criteria, Slovakia needs 43 tanks, Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said, adding that it will have a total of 45 once it receives the 15 Leopards from Germany. So far, Bratislava has received just one and expects to receive two each month from March.
Slovakia also sent eight Zuzana self-propelled guns to Ukraine last year and is building another 16 to be paid for by Denmark, Germany and Norway. Nant said the Ukrainian government has expressed interest in buying another 11 self-propelled guns and has negotiated the contract.
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