|
Posted
by Robert Wall at
11/16/2007 8:12 AM CST
|
The Chilean military has received its first Leopard 2 A4. The "keys" to the main battle tank were handed over this week by Germany's defense minister Franz-Josef Jung to his Chilean counterpart Jose Goni Carrasco at the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann plant in Germany.
Chile will take delivery of 140 of the Leopard 2s that are being disposed of by the German army. It makes Chile the sixteenth customer for the tank and the first in South America. After the ceremonial handover, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will now perform a refurbishment of the tanks valued at 50 million euro.
The modernization effort is expected to run through 2010, during which time three battalions are being stood up. The German army will assist Chile in getting the Leopards combat ready, by aiding with training and logistical support. A German detachment is due in Chile next year to ensure a smooth introduction of the weapon system. The Chileans also are getting two tanks for schooling purposes and simulators. Germany and Chile have been working on improving their security relationship. The Chileans, for instance, currently support the European peace-keeping efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 
