Image source: topwar.ru
According to a video posted online the other day, Leopard 1A5 tanks, which previously served in the Belgian army, are now in service with the 59th Motorized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As indicated in the Army Recognition publication, in August 2023, 30 former Belgian MBTs were transferred by OIP Land Systems to the German Rheinmetall concern, which sent them to Italy for repair and modernization before being sent to Ukraine. As explained in the German Defense Ministry, the APU has already received 30 Leopard 1A5.
In parallel, the Ukrainian army has Danish tanks of the same type at its disposal. They were bought from Copenhagen by the German company FFG in the amount of one hundred units back in 2010 for conversion and resale. Of this number, 40 MBT are intended for the APU.
As noted in the publication, a total of about 130 Leopard 1A5S are expected to be delivered from Germany in addition to the vehicles already in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, a number of other European countries intend to transfer these tanks.
Image source: topwar.ru
The Belgian Leopard 1A5 is an upgraded version of the original 1A5. He received a new fire control system that includes a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder. At the same time, in general, the Belgian modification retained the design, armament and armor of the basic Leopard 1A5.