Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands introduced a joint initiative on Tuesday to ship round 100 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine, a few of which might arrive “inside a number of months.”

That could be a far shorter timeline than the extra superior tanks Ukraine’s Western allies have pledged as they search to bolster the embattled nation forward of an anticipated new Russian offensive.

The brand new plan, introduced as Germany’s protection minister met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, comes along with Germany’s settlement final month to ship 14 of its extra fashionable Leopard 2 tanks and a U.S. pledge to ship 31 of its personal important battle tanks, Abrams M1s.

Germany introduced that it had authorised re-export licenses for as much as 178 of the Leopard 1 tanks, however that the ultimate quantity “is dependent upon the required restore work.” As a result of the tanks are German-made, Berlin has to approve the switch of the automobiles bought to different international locations for re-export to a 3rd social gathering.

From the German aspect, the Leopard 1 tanks wouldn’t come from the army however from German weapons producers. On Tuesday, the chief government of 1 such producer, Rheinmetall, instructed a information convention that it anticipated to produce Ukraine with 20 to 25 Leopard 1s this 12 months, and 88 extra subsequent 12 months, Reuters reported.

With the addition of Denmark and the Netherlands to the Leopard 1 export plan, extra of the battle tanks might arrive in Ukraine far before any of the extra superior German and American tanks, which might take many months.

“Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands are offering refurbished Leopard 1 A5 from industrial shares; the primary ones being delivered inside a number of months,” a joint assertion from the three nations stated. “In doing so, we’re guided by the wants of Ukraine. Our initiative consists of coaching on the Leopard 1 A5 in addition to a spare elements and ammunition package deal.”

The three international locations stated they’d welcome different governments to hitch with them and that they’d acquired curiosity from Belgium.

Germany had for weeks resisted sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, regardless of heavy strain from its European allies, and solely agreed to the plan after Washington stated it could ship a few of its personal M1 Abrams tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany has been cautious of being seen as contributing to escalation in opposition to Russia by a NATO ally.

At the least a few of Leopard 1 tanks would require extra refurbishment and modernization work, and there are additionally issues that ammunition provides might run brief, despite the fact that they’re a NATO-standard dimension.

A few of the ammunition wanted is produced in Switzerland, whose strict neutrality coverage has hindered gross sales to be used in Ukraine. Brazil additionally manufactures rounds utilized by the Leopard 1 tank. However due to its shut ties to Russia, Brazil has declined to provide Germany the ammunition it produces.

In contrast to the Leopard 1 — the primary important battle tank constructed for Germany’s armed forces after World Conflict II — the extra fashionable Leopard 2 is without doubt one of the world’s main battle tanks. It has been utilized by the German Military for many years and by the militaries of greater than a dozen different European nations, in addition to by the armies of nations like Canada and Indonesia. The Leopard 2 has been utilized in conflicts in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Syria.