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Spain Powers Up Ukraine’s Tank Fleet with Additional Leopard 2A4 Tanks.
Spain is preparing to ship a new batch of nine restored Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine, marking another step in its military support for Kyiv. Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed on November 20, 2024, that the refurbishment of these vehicles is nearly complete, and their transfer to Poland—serving as a transit point before delivery to the Ukrainian Armed Forces—is imminent.
Spain is preparing to ship a new batch of nine restored Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine (Picture source: Spain MoD)
These nine tanks are part of a lot of 19 Leopard 2A4 tanks that Spain promised to Ukraine earlier this year. The first delivery of 10 tanks took place in July 2024. These vehicles, restored by General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) at Alcalá de Guadaíra, departed from the port of Ferrol aboard a Ro-Ro vessel on July 13, heading to Poland before being transferred to Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Spain has delivered a total of 29 Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine, solidifying its role in European efforts to strengthen Kyiv's defensive capabilities.
The Leopard 2A4 tanks, taken out of reserve, were fully restored at the Santa Bárbara Sistemas facility. This process involved disassembling the vehicles, meticulously inspecting their components, replacing defective parts, and conducting a series of operational tests. These repairs ensure the tanks are in full combat-ready condition before being deployed on the battlefield.
In parallel, a Hawk air defense missile battery is also being transferred to Ukraine. Currently stationed in Poland, this battery is scheduled for delivery on November 24, 2024. Ukrainian personnel who will operate these systems recently completed training in Spain as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM).
Under a bilateral agreement, Spain has pledged up to €1 billion in military equipment for Ukraine. To date, approximately €600 million worth of equipment, including armored vehicles, ammunition, and defense systems, has been delivered as of June 2023.
However, Minister Robles clarified that the equipment provided by Spain, including the Leopard 2A4 tanks and Hawk systems, does not have long-range capabilities. This statement comes in the context of the United States recently authorizing Ukraine to use long-range missiles. “The material we are sending does not have that capacity,” Robles emphasized.
Developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the Leopard 2A4 is renowned for its mobility, firepower, and armored protection. Introduced in the 1980s, this versatile tank is equipped with a 120mm smoothbore cannon and a digital fire control system. It is widely used by armed forces around the globe.
Before the war in Ukraine, the Spanish Army possessed 108 Leopard 2A4 tanks in addition to 219 more advanced Leopard 2E (A6) tanks and 54 tanks held in reserve. With these deliveries, Spain is not only reinforcing Ukraine's defensive capabilities but also enhancing European coordination in military support efforts. By combining training, logistics, and equipment transfers, Madrid positions itself as a key player in collective European defense initiatives against Russian aggression.
This renewed effort underscores Spain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty while adhering to international restrictions on long-range weaponry.