Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, had come under increasing pressure to allow the re-export of the Leopard tanks, dozens of which are held by armies across Europe – but could not be sent to Ukraine with the express permission of Berlin. But recent political tension between the two countries over hydrocarbon explorations off Cyprus has put this in jeopardy.What had been the hold up in sending tanks – particularly the Leopard 2 – to Ukraine? Turkey was hoping a French armor solution would be continue to be available following an initial batch of 40 units.

Germany is one of a number of European governments that have limited exports to Turkey over its involvement in the Syrian civil war.Ī similar problem concerns the Altay’s planned armor. Turkey had hoped to power the Altay with the German MTU engine and RENK transmission, but talks with German manufacturers over the past couple of years failed due to a federal arms embargo on Turkey. “How the Turks can make use of a proven engine and a failed transmission remains to be seen,” said a London-based Turkey expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity. But after S&T Dynamics' transmission failed durability tests, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced the second batch would have a “hybrid” power pack consisting of the locally developed engine and the German RENK transmission system. Under a second contract, tanks began to be delivered in late 2016. The first 100 units were built with a Doosan 1,500-horsepower engine and an S&T Dynamics automatic transmission.

A South Korean K2 tank fires during a live-fire demonstration Sept.

German modern tanks bought by turkey