According to Tecno&Defesa, citing its own sources in the Brazilian military, Germany has proposed selling 65 used Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks and 78 Marder 1A5 infantry fighting vehicles to Brazil as part of its Nova Família de Blindados sobre Rodas (NFBR) program — the country's New Family of Armored Tracked Vehicles initiative.
The report notes that these vehicles come from the strategic reserve of the German Armed Forces. In the case of the Leopard 2A6, they belong to the first modernization phase (2001–2005) and are reportedly unfit for further upgrades due to extensive wear and tear. The vehicles intended for Brazil would be refurbished by KNDS.
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What makes the story even more intriguing is that, according to Tecno&Defesa, Germany is offering tanks that Ukraine had "reportedly refused earlier." Defense Express emphasizes that this claim should be treated with healthy skepticism, given the large number of vehicles involved and the fact that no such information has previously appeared in the media.
The German Aid to Ukraine monitoring group, which closely tracks Germany’s military assistance to Ukraine, also advises caution regarding this report.
The group notes that if Ukraine did decline additional tanks, it could be explained by the poor operational condition of Leopard 2A6 units in Ukrainian service as of 2024, mainly due to a shortage of spare parts. However, the situation is reportedly improving.
Another notable detail from Tecno&Defesa concerns the estimated prices Germany allegedly offered to Brazil: about €15 million per Leopard 2A6 and €10 million per Marder 1A5 — reportedly for the vehicles alone, excluding logistical and maintenance support. While lower than the cost of new systems, the prices still seem inflated, considering the supposedly poor technical condition of the equipment.
Earlier, Defense Express reported on when the first Leopard 2A8 is expected to roll off the production line, and why that tank is not destined for Germany.
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