Germany supplies Ukraine with 12 Bergepanzer 2 recovery vehicles based on Leopard 1 tank chassis.

On December 15, 2022, the German Ministry of Defense (MoD) published an updated list of military equipment supplied to Ukraine, Germany delivered 12 Bergepanzer 2 ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle) based on the tracked chassis of the Leopard 1 MBT (Main Battle Tank) as well as 60,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 34 ambulances, and 18 8x8 load-handling trucks.
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The German Bergepanzer 2 ARV Armored Recovery Vehicle is based on the tracked chassis of the Leopard 1 tank fitted with a new hull and crane mounted on the right side of the hull. (Picture source Wikimedia)

According to a report published in December 2022 by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany's new commitments and its contribution to the large new EU package now make it the largest donor in Europe in absolute terms, overtaking the UK for the first time, with a total of €12.6 billion in German pledged support to Ukraine.

Germany committed and delivered more weapons, winter equipment, plus a large new package to support cyber security and war crime intelligence efforts." Given Russia’s heavy airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, the speed of aid provision is particularly crucial at this point.

The Bergepanzer 2 is an armored recovery vehicle (ARV) designed to recover and repair Main Battle Tanks on the battlefield. The vehicle is based on the chassis of the Leopard MBT (Main Battle Tank) but fitted with a new hull.

The Bergepanzer 2 is equipped with a dozer blade mounted at the front of the hull, a hydraulically operated crane on the right side of the hull which is pivoted at the front, a winch with a capacity of 35 tones which can be increased to 70 tones with a guide pulley, electric wrench, and a welding system.

The Bergepanzer 2 weighs 39,800 kg and has a crew of four, it is used for the recovery of damaged vehicles, towing disabled vehicles, changing vehicle components and lifting complete vehicles weighing up to 20 tones, carrying a spare Leopard MBT power pack, dozing and refueling and defueling other vehicles.