Deal struck to send German-made Leopard 1 tanks from Belgium to Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: Dozens of German-made Leopard 1 tanks and other armoured vehicles, owned by Freddy Versluys the CEO of Belgian defence company OIP Land Systems, who said could help Ukraine if he received export permits from the Belgian regional government of Wallonia and from Germany to sell them, are seen in a hangar in Tournais, Belgium January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Dozens of second-hand Leopard 1 tanks that once belonged to Belgium have been bought by another European country for Ukrainian forces fighting Russia's invasion, the arms trader who did the deal said Tuesday.

The German-made Leopards were at the centre of a public spat earlier this year after Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder said the government had explored buying back tanks to send to Ukraine but had been quoted unreasonable prices.