German, Danish, Dutch Leopard 1 tanks delivered to Ukraine could not function: Danish state media

By Ebad Ahmed

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AA) - At least 100 Leopard 1 tanks given to Ukraine from Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands under military aid malfunctioned due to missing parts, according to the Danish state news outlet.

The DR reported that issues with the tanks were so evident that Ukraine refused to accept the weapons under its command. It said that according to documents from the Ministry of Defense, it was known that the German defense industry, in particular, did not meet its promises given to Ukraine.

The documents said the tanks selected to be delivered to the Ukraine army could not fire because of missing recoil brakes.

The Defense Ministry confirmed that Danish mechanics were deployed to repair the faulty tanks. "More than 90 tanks" have been refurbished, but not all have been delivered, it said.

"To ensure that there are a sufficient number of tanks for use in training in Germany, it has been decided – in coordination with Ukraine and German industry – to keep a number of tanks in the training area," said the ministry, declining to answer if Danish mechanics are still helping to get the tanks ready.

Danish defense chief Troels Lund Poulsen, in his response to the disclosure from DR, said: “It is important to remember that donations on this scale and at this pace are untrodden territory for all of us. This has never been seen before and therefore challenges will arise along the way, as we have seen with the Leopard 1 tanks, for example.”

He said Denmark will solve its challenges together with its partners and Ukraine.

“The crucial thing is that we, together with our allies, are able to support Ukraine's fight for freedom – in the short and the long term,” he said in a statement.