Last Friday, Poland, Ukraine, and Germany moved a step closer to a new logistics hub for Leopard 2 tanks by signing a letter of intent to establish a service center in Poland. The agreement was confirmed by Poland’s defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak and Germany’s Boris Pistorius, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov expressing gratitude for the ongoing support from the partners involved.
That same day, the head of Poland’s Ministry of National Defense joined a Ramstein-format meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The gathering brought together ministers from roughly forty nations that have supplied weapons to Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion.
On financing the project, Błaszczak noted a proposal to create a fund dedicated to maintaining and repairing Leopard tanks housed at the new center. He acknowledged that existing funds from the European Union and NATO could be explored to broaden the financial base for this initiative.
Speaking about the document signed at Ramstein, Błaszczak highlighted the potential for a wide financing framework, including possible use of EU and NATO resources to support the hub.
The parties agreed to pursue a formal financing solution for the hub, with official arrangements to be clarified in upcoming working sessions, as reported by German media outlets. A detailed plan to fund the repair center was promised by the German press, with further specifics anticipated in the near future.
The service hub is expected to be located at the Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy in Gliwice. The Polish defense leadership noted that Gliwice’s Bumar unit brings two decades of experience in Leopard tank maintenance and repair, ensuring skilled personnel and reliable infrastructure for the center.
Officials stressed that this development could become a significant opportunity for Poland’s defense industry and its suppliers, reinforcing domestic capabilities while supporting allied efforts.
German-made Leopard tanks that have sustained wear in combat are planned to be repaired in Poland so they can return to the front swiftly, according to Pistorius. This arrangement aims to ensure that repairs can be carried out as needed and that the flow of repaired vehicles back into service remains steady.
A meeting of the tank coalition was held, with Reznikov praising the continued backing from his colleagues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also thanked Kiev’s partners for their steadfast support, noting that the level of commitment shown aligns with the needs on the battlefield.
Leopard 2 tanks are main battle machines used by many European armies. They are produced by Krauss-M Wegmann. To date, Poland has delivered 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine. Norway, Canada, Spain, and Finland have also committed to transferring multiple units, collectively giving Ukraine a battalion of Western tanks. Germany has announced an additional delivery of Leopard 2A6 units. Training for Ukrainian crews has taken place on German and Polish training grounds, where operators have been taught the nuances of these vehicles.
tkwl/PAP
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Source: wPolityce