Army investigates return Leopard

The army lacks the Leopard tank. The army leadership is desperately searching for a solution to the hole that was created by deleting. 119 Leopard 2A6 tanks

The heavy tank is under Defence Minister Henk Hillen decommissioned in 2011. During exercises he appears to be missing node. Sources within the army also point out that the absence of the heavy tank - or an alternative - the 'toolbox', Netherlands concerning took.

The army command examines several options according to the sources. For example, consider a lease arrangement with Germany. The tanks of the eastern neighbors would be hired and there also are maintained, but actually under Dutch jurisdiction. The latter is a big advantage.

A second option that passes in review, it is to run exercises in Dutch and German heavy tanks to station. Too Dutch soldiers in the tanks In this way, knowledge about the use of the heavy tank and the way it should be kept up to standard. Maneuvered The great fear is that the Army with the clinical trimming of the Leopard also knowledge of the weapons from the armed forces disappears. Knowledge that takes at least ten years to introduce again.

A small group within the army sees a third possibility. Why not some Leopards now under the plastic stand waiting for a buyer, resuming operation? Especially now that the hundred tanks on a saturated world market for tanks not to wear. Small maintenance of the tank could be done, the great work being outsourced to Germany in the Netherlands.

Is not very realistic. The last option The cost to take a few tanks back into use are so high that must be cut elsewhere in defense hard and there is already a command to cut in any event. 1.3 billion Hillen was two years ago adamantly against this idea.

According to reliable sources, the file on the deployment of the heavy tanks temporarily aside to Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (VVD) not to run.'s Feet Has announced the filing of the defense budget from 2014 about the future of the army. With a note

Within the army there is certainly consensus on the usefulness of the heavy tank. Who is Minister Henk Hillen not deleted due to lack of use, but for lack of money. Recently, the Advisory Council on International Affairs of the Government given the advice to seek opportunities to lease to as an affordable way to get. Heavy tank within the armed forces Leopards

  ● Trouw