Summary and Key Points: Denmark and the Netherlands continue their strong support for Ukraine by announcing the delivery of an additional fourteen German-made Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs).

-These tanks, purchased last year and refurbished by Rheinmetall, are expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of the summer.

-Despite previous issues with older Leopard 1 MBTs, this new batch aims to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian aggression.

-The Leopard 2, renowned for its advanced capabilities, has seen extensive use in conflicts like the War in Afghanistan and the Syrian Civil War, proving its effectiveness in modern combat.

Ukraine to Receive 14 Refurbished Leopard 2A4 Tanks from Denmark and Netherlands

NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands remain staunch supporters of Ukraine. Each has supplied Kyiv with American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter aircraft and previously had pledged to supply Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) to aid Ukraine's war effort.

On Thursday, both nations announced they will send an additional fourteen of the German-made Leopard 2A4 MBTs in the coming weeks, after buying the tanks last year for 165 million euros ($186 million). The MBTs have been serviced and refurbished by the German-based Rheinmetall for deployment to the frontlines – a process that has been completed.

"Yesterday and today, the last two Leopard 2s are undergoing their verification tests as part of the delivery. All 14 tanks will be delivered simultaneously before the end of the summer," the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced."Ukraine urgently needs more military support, given the heavy fighting on the battlefield. These tanks can play an important role for the Ukrainian army to defend itself against Russian troops. The Netherlands, together with allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine unabated, for as long as necessary. This is crucial to protect Ukraine and keep Putin's aggression at bay," said Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.

Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands had also pledged to supply around 100 older Leopard 1 MBTs, but it was reported in May that many of the tanks were found to have significant defects. Significant repairs needed to be made, and that issue served to put a spotlight on NATO's readiness and the reliability of some of its member states' military hardware.

The NATO Tank

The German-made Leopard 2 is considered among the best MBTs in service today, although it wasn't really "proven" in combat until the War in Afghanistan and the Syrian Civil War – decades after it first entered service. Developed in the 1970s to replace the older Leopard 1, the Leopard 2 was adopted by the West German Bundeswehr in 1979 and has been exported to nations around the world.

The third-generation 55-ton Leopard 2 is armed with a 120mm smoothbore main gun and equipped with a digital fire control system. The MBT has been steadily upgraded and is in active service with numerous NATO members, including those nations that directly border Russia.

Currently, the Polish Armed Forces operates the Leopard 2PL, a modernized version of the older Leopard 2A4. Modernization of the MBT is being carried out in cooperation with Rheinmetall and the Polish Armaments Group. As of the end of last year, the Polish Army has 62 Leopard 2 in the PL/PLM1 version in service out of a planned 142 vehicles.

Despite its capabilities, the Leopard 2 isn't a super weapon – a point noted as more than two dozen have reportedly been seriously damaged or destroyed in Ukraine. However, the frontlines in the ongoing fighting have become a graveyard for tanks, with thousands lost by Russia in the now more than two-and-a-half-year-long war.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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