Germany Asks Switzerland to Sell Back Some Leopard 2 Tanks

A Swiss Army Leopard 2 tank.

Photographer: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
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Germany has asked Switzerland if it can buy back some of the nation’s decommissioned Leopard 2 battle tanks as part of an effort to replace depleted stocks among NATO allies.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Economy Minister Robert Habeck made the request in a Feb. 23 letter to Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd, a German defense ministry spokesman said Friday, confirming a report in Swiss newspaper Blick. The tanks would not be given to Ukraine, the spokesman said, adding that the exact number was still under discussion.