Having decided in January to transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the German authorities were supposed to place an order with defense companies for new military equipment in the same month, but they have not done this yet, although its production may take from one to two years, said the head of the defense company Vincorion Stefan Stenzel.
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Vincorion, a Hamburg-based company, manufactures electronic components and drives for Germany’s Leopard main battle tank and the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle, as well as power supplies for the Patriot air defense system.
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“If Germany decides in January to transfer 14 tanks to Ukraine, then it must place an order for new tanks in January. Germany, however, has been transferring materials to Ukraine, such as artillery and air defense systems, for 11 months, and at the same time does not place new orders “Stenzel said.
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He pointed out that in the next two to three years, Europe will need at least 100-200 new Leopard tanks. “If such an order came from my end customers KMW and Rheinmetall, then I would talk to them about letters or declarations of intent, and based on them I would then order the material,” the head of the company explained.
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He clarified that the supply of materials lasts from six to twelve months, then it takes several weeks for Vincorion to manufacture its components and deliver them to military equipment manufacturers KMW and Rheinmetall.
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“Before the finished tanks can be delivered, including with these parts, it takes from 12 to 24 months,” Stenzel explained.
