German government allows manufacturers to send Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said this at a briefing in Berlin on Friday, February 3, Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I can confirm that an export license has been issued," Hebestreit said.

He said there was an approval procedure and added that the details would be given soon.

He clarified that representatives of the industry had put forward a respective initiative to the government: "They have such tanks, and they are ready to hand them over. But this requires approval."

Regarding the future supply of combat aircraft to Ukraine, Hebestreit noted that "such a discussion is currently not on the agenda."

The Leopard 1 was the first main battle tank produced for the German Army from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s.

A German Defense Ministry spokesperson said such tanks had not been in service with the Bundeswehr since 2003.