Rheinmetall is ready to undertake the modernization of Leopard 1 and Challenger 1 tanks for Ukraine.
The German arms company Rheinmetall can supply Ukraine with more than 100 main battle tanks by the end of 2023 without taking them from the Bundeswehr, writes Handelsblatt. According to the publication, the company is discussing in industry circles the possibility of custom-manufacturing new Leopard 2 tanks and repairing and delivering Leopard 1 and British Challenger 1 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In this case, the Bundeswehr would not have to give up any of the combat units assigned to it. Furthermore, it is noted that the Rheinmetall group is ready to buy a double-digit number of British Challenger 1 tanks in Oman and carry out their modernization. Ukraine is waiting for Challenger 2 tanks, which is a more advanced model than Challenger 1, but both vehicles have the same main weapon and share common ammunition.