Due to the lack of spare parts for tanks on the world market, Brazil has suspended the modernization of the Leopard 1A5BR
After the “benefit performance” of Western tanks, expected in the “civilized world,” Europe is trying to organize urgent deliveries of Leopard 1 for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, buying spare parts for them all over the world.
Under these conditions, there is an acute shortage of components and assemblies for German “cats” on the international market. In this regard, the Brazilian Ministry of Defense announced the suspension of the modernization program for Leopard 1A5BR tanks for an indefinite period, citing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The [modernization] project is in jeopardy due to the high demand for armored vehicle parts on the world market, which has arisen due to military aid to Ukraine, including hundreds of Leopard 1 and 2, as well as a huge number of spare parts. This causes shortages and concern for all users of these weapons systems
- says the Brazilian publication Tecnologia & Defesa.
Allegedly, disruptions in the supply chain have led to the threat not only of the Leopard 1 modernization project, but also the very existence of the fleet of these tanks in the country, for which there are no spare parts in service, affecting the combat effectiveness of the vehicles.
The Brazilian Army currently has a total of 296 MBTs in service, including 41 Leopard 1A1BE, 220 Leopard 1A5BR and 35 M60A3. It is expected that the country's military department will either launch a new modernization program [based on import substitution] or decide to purchase new tanks.
Information