BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The German Economy Ministry has approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine. The economy and defense ministries made the announcement jointly in Berlin on Tuesday. "How many Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks will actually be delivered to Ukraine depends on the necessary repair work," the statement added.

The German government had already given its approval in principle to the export last week. The Leopard 1 is the first main battle tank built for the Bundeswehr after World War II. From 1965 to the mid-1980s, 4700 units were produced. The Bundeswehr took its last Leopard 1 tanks out of service 20 years ago.

After lengthy discussions, the German government decided two weeks ago to provide Ukraine with 14 modern Leopard 2s and to allow allies to receive such deliveries of the German-developed weapon system. Marder infantry fighting vehicles and the Patriot air defense missile system are also to go to Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers are already being trained in Germany.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said Tuesday during his first visit to Kiev that the Leopard 1s would be delivered in stages. He said 20 to 25 tanks should be delivered by the summer, and up to 80 by the end of the year, with the goal of reaching more than 100 during the first or second quarter of 2024. This would mean equipping at least three Ukrainian battalions, including the material to be procured for spare parts and ammunition. In addition, he said, training has begun for 600 sergeants.

With the current commitment to deliver the Leopard-1 tanks, he associated "the wish and the great hope that this contribution can also help Ukraine to remain defensible and withstand attack," Pistorius said. The will of the Ukrainian people to defend their homeland is unbroken, he said. "For this I pay you my greatest admiration," the minister said during a joint appearance with his Ukrainian counterpart Olexiy Resnikov.

Pistorius stressed that there should be no doubt that Germany, as well as other partners in Europe and beyond, "will continue to stand firmly by Ukraine's side in the future and we will continue to support it with whatever is necessary." According to Pistorius, Ukraine will receive additional guided missiles by the end of the month, as well as five Gepard anti-aircraft tanks and another five Badger armored personnel carriers. Five Beaver bridge-laying tanks would be delivered in March./mfi/DP/stw