Polish PGZ Seeks to Manufacture Parts for Leopard Tanks Donated to Ukraine

Polish firm Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) is reportedly in talks with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall for components to modernize such tanks donated to Ukraine by Poland.

Sebastian Chwalek, President of PGZ, told PAP in an interview that the company is “finalizing talks with manufacturers of the Leopard 2 tank on the renovation of tanks delivered to Ukraine.”

“One of the forms of support we offered to the Ukrainian side from the beginning was the service of (military) equipment,” PGZ top boss commented.

The company established a Leopard 2 service center in Poland.

“We are finalizing industrial talks with German Leopard manufacturers -- KMW and Rheinmetall – to clarify the issues of contracting and supply of parts, because spare parts are crucial for maintaining the efficiency of the equipment,” he said.

The official added that “for a long time, there was a problem with the supply of these parts with the production capacity of these companies and their subcontractors.”

“Leopard 2A4 is an old structure, hence the problems with the availability of parts,” he explained.

He said the tanks won’t be restored to their original state. “We are talking about a level of repair that will allow Ukrainian soldiers to fight effectively.”

Chwalek said PGZ “repeatedly declared” its readiness to produce parts for Leopard 2 tanks. “But we did not receive permission for a long time.”

He noted that “in recent years, we have managed to negotiate a license for the production of a barrel for Leopard 2A4 and 2A4 tanks.”

“There were problems with their availability, the delivery time was 36 months and more, in the conditions of urgent needs it is unacceptable. I hope that today the German side has accelerated,” he stated further.

“Huta Stalowa Wola, which manufactures barrels, will increase production if necessary. Several other elements that we produce, but our partners did not agree to Polonization of the basic ones, such as the engine control electronics block, this is the biggest problem. We hope that we will be able to sign the relevant documents soon. We are also waiting for the payment model to be defined – who will be the contracting authority, who will receive the equipment; these are issues that still require intergovernmental arrangements,” the official said.

PGZ also trains Ukrainian soldiers and technicians on the tank operation; and after usage, collects their opinions.