German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) holds a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on December 10, 2025 | Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Berlin: Croatia is set to purchase 44 German-made Leopard tanks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday after a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Berlin.
Plenković said the tanks, manufactured by defence company KNDS, are to be delivered to Zagreb over the next few years.
Merz said the significance of the purchase goes far beyond the military and material value of the Leopard 2 A8 tanks.
“We need to work together much more closely in the European Union, including on harmonising systems,” the chancellor said.
EU-wide efforts are needed to reduce the number of systems while producing as many units as possible, he said, adding that the procurement of military equipment should also be looked at.
European countries are investing heavily in rearming in response to the Russian war in Ukraine. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius attended the rollout of the Leopard 2A8 tank at KNDS Deutschland in Munich, last month. The company recently said it had received orders for 350 Leopard 2A8 tanks, including 123 from the German Bundeswehr.
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