Madrid, (EFE) sources familiar with the operation have confirmed to Efe this Wednesday.
The shipment of these tanks could take place in the spring, according to the Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, announced during a recent visit to the Spanish troops deployed in Latvia, on a NATO mission.
The minister then stressed that the delivery of the Leopards is part of Spain’s “clear and unequivocal commitment to peace” and assured that it is done “in coordination with NATO partners and allies.”
Robles specified that Leopardo 2A cars that are in proper working order will be sent to Ukraine, for which he assured that they would have the support of the industry.
Spain has 347 Leopard combat tanks, of which 108 are of the 2A4 model, which our country bought from Germany in the 1990s and which is the oldest currently in operation, and 239 of the so-called 2E, the Spanish and one of the most modern.
Of the 108 A4s that are operational, 54 are in the Alcántara 10th Cavalry Regiment (Melilla) and in the Montesa Cavalry Regiment (Ceuta).
The rest have been deactivated for a decade and stored in the Logistics Support Group number 41 in Casetas (Zaragoza) and the five that are already in the Santa Bárbara facilities belong to this group.
“You have to take into account that it is not only about sending cars, but there is a very important job, which is the training of the crews of the different Leopards and also maintenance instruction,” said the Minister of Defense. .