Leopard 1A5 for the price of a Chinese smartphone – GLS bought 25 German tanks for $565
But in four years, we have not received a single combat vehicle
The German company Global Logistics GmbH (GLS) has indeed purchased more than two dozen Leopard 1A5 tanks for the price of a regular Chinese smartphone.
The seller is the well-known Swiss concern RUAG. He wanted to sell 96 Leopard 1A5 tanks to the German company Rheinmetall to be transferred to Ukraine. However, the country’s authorities first blocked the deal and then launched an investigation.
RUAG bought the tanks from Italy, whose army decided to write off old combat vehicles. GLS has ordered 25 Leopard 1A5 units at a price of 500 francs each, which is equivalent to approximately $565 at the current exchange rate. The German company paid just over $14,000 for 25 tanks.
GLS bought combat vehicles in 2019. However, the company has not received a single tank since then. Now GLS, as the rightful owner, is demanding that RUAG finally start delivering Leopard 1A5s.
Initially, it was decided to leave the tanks in Italy in agreement with the Swiss concern. The reason was that, despite the purchase, the German company had not figured out how it would use the purchased Leopard 1A5s. It is possible that the Swiss authorities will re-examine the deal.
