Ring exchange: Rheinmetall supplies Slovak Republic with battle tank Leopard 2 A4

Rheinmetall is delivering battle tanks to the Slovak Republic as part of the tank exchange commissioned by the German government. This has now been contractually agreed upon in Brussels between representatives of both countries and Rheinmetall. The Slovak Armed Forces, in turn, are providing military equipment to support Ukraine.

Rheinmetall is delivering 15 Leopard 2 A4 battle tanks to the Slovak Armed Forces. The contract also includes an ammunition package as well as integrated training and logistical services. The first vehicle is set to be delivered in December 2022, with delivery completion expected by the end of 2023.

The tank exchange is a procedure developed by the German government to support Ukraine in its efforts against the Russian invasion in collaboration with European neighbors and NATO partners. NATO member states are providing large equipment from former Soviet production to Ukraine in exchange for available systems from Western production.

In close cooperation with the German Ministry of Defense and the Slovak authorities and armed forces, Rheinmetall has negotiated the necessary contracts in a short period of time. They were signed on November 15, 2022 in Brussels by Martin Sklenár, Defence Policy Director of the Slovak Ministry of Defense, Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, Head of Equipment at the German Ministry of Defense, as well as Dr. Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall Business Unit Tactical Vehicles, and Eduardo Veen Martinez, Executive Vice President of Rheinmetall Business Unit Tactical Vehicles.

Work on the vehicles has already begun. The vehicles provided are refurbished Leopard 2 A4 tanks from former stocks of various user states, which are owned by Rheinmetall AG.

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