Ukraine is set to receive Denmark's Leopard 1 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) before the summer season, as confirmed by Denmark's Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. The move, which could see up to 100 tanks being sent to Ukraine, is expected to bolster the nation's defense capabilities against the Russian invasion of the country.
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Danish army Leopard 1A5 MBT Main Battle Tank. (Picture source Screenshot Video footage ChieftainMK12 Youtube)
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Denmark has provided Ukraine with roughly 834 million EUR in military assistance and 192 million EUR in civilian support, which includes humanitarian contributions. From the civilian aid, about 152 million EUR has been donated, while approximately 40 million EUR has been pledged as guarantees.
On March 12, 2023, the Army Recognition editorial team announced that the Danish Ministry of Defense confirmed on March 11, 2023, that Denmark, in cooperation with Germany and the Netherlands, will donate 100 Leopard 1 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to Ukraine. According to our sources, the Leopard 1A5 variant will be the version supplied to Ukraine.
In early February 2023, Denmark, alongside the Netherlands and Germany, initiated a project to refurbish a significant number of Leopard 1A5 tanks. The project's primary objective is to expedite the delivery of two tank battalions to Ukraine, which amounts to approximately 80 tanks. The first tanks are anticipated to be ready in the spring, intended for training Ukrainian forces.
As reported by the Army Recognition editorial team, German company FFG possesses a stock of 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks, acquired in 2010 from the Danish government. In June 1974, Denmark ordered 120 German-made Leopard 1A3s, with the first delivery occurring in March 1976 and the final one in November 1978. Denmark modernized the Leopard 1A3 to the 1A5 configuration, designating it the Leopard 1A5DK.
The Leopard 1A5DK is a Danish Army-modernized and upgraded variant of the Leopard 1 main battle tank. Enhancements included a new diesel engine, an advanced gun stabilization system, an updated fire control system, upgraded armor, and the integration of modern electronic systems. Introduced in the late 1990s, the Leopard 1A5DK was employed by the Danish Army until it was succeeded by the Leopard 2A5 in the mid-2000s.
Equipped with a 105mm L7A3 rifled gun, the Leopard 1A5 can fire various types of ammunition, including APDS (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot), HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank), and HESH (High-Explosive Squash Head). The tank's secondary armament consists of a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola. It has a four-member crew, including the commander, driver, gunner, and loader.
